School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Matern Child Nutr. 2023 Jul;19(3):e13516. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13516. Epub 2023 Apr 4.
Breastfeeding initiation rates in Australia are high but duration rates fall well below the World Health Organization targets. Return to work is a known factor impacting 6 months exclusive breastfeeding and continuation into the infants second year of life. Work related factors can influence a woman's confidence in maintaining breastmilk supply after return to employment and determine whether she meets her personal breastfeeding goals. This cross-sectional online survey is the first Australian study to explore women's experience of maintaining breastfeeding after return to work, in all work sectors. Results revealed variations across work sectors reflected in worker autonomy and confidence in speaking up about breastfeeding rights. Women who had autonomy or flexibility in planning their workday were more likely to be confident in maintaining breastmilk supply. The main predictors for milk supply confidence and meeting personal breastfeeding goals included having: a suitable place to express milk; confidence in speaking out about rights; a formal return-to-work plan; a supportive workplace; and returning to work after the period of exclusive breastfeeding. This study reveals that supportive workplace environments can lead to increased confidence in maintaining milk supply, extending durations of breastfeeding. Women who are confident in their rights to express breastmilk, or breastfeed at work, are more likely to meet their own breastfeeding goals. Education, and awareness raising, on the rights of breastfeeding women in the workplace, is a gender equity imperative that can improve experiences for breastfeeding women, and, increase manager and co-worker knowledge for creating enabling workplace environments for breastfeeding employees.
澳大利亚的母乳喂养初始率很高，但持续率远低于世界卫生组织的目标。返回工作岗位是影响 6 个月纯母乳喂养和婴儿第二年母乳喂养的已知因素。与工作相关的因素会影响女性在重返工作岗位后维持母乳供应的信心，并决定她是否能实现个人母乳喂养目标。这项横断面在线调查是澳大利亚第一项探索所有工作领域女性在重返工作岗位后母乳喂养体验的研究。结果表明，工作领域的差异反映在工人的自主权和对母乳喂养权利的信心上。在规划工作日方面具有自主权或灵活性的女性更有可能对维持母乳供应有信心。对母乳供应信心和实现个人母乳喂养目标的主要预测因素包括：有合适的挤奶场所；对行使权利有信心；有正式的返工计划；有支持性的工作场所；以及在纯母乳喂养期后返回工作岗位。这项研究表明，支持性的工作环境可以提高维持母乳供应的信心，延长母乳喂养的持续时间。对表达母乳的权利有信心或在工作中进行母乳喂养的女性更有可能实现自己的母乳喂养目标。在工作场所提高对母乳喂养女性权利的教育和认识是性别平等的必要条件，这可以改善母乳喂养女性的体验，并提高经理和同事对为母乳喂养员工创造有利工作环境的知识。
