Factors associated to continuing breastfeeding after returning to work in a group of mothers in Puerto Rico
García-Fragoso, L.; Medina, M.; Ortiz, N.
Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico 104(1): 12-15
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4849 PMID: 22788073 Document Number: 702426
Working outside the home is related to lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration. Enacted laws promote and support breastfeeding in working places. To determine factors associated to breastfeeding after returning to work. Anonymous questionnaires distributed among breastfeeding working mothers. The study subjects were 100 mothers. Most of them (77%) worked for the government. Fifty-six percent continued breastfeeding after returning to work. In 33% of the workplaces there was an area designated for milk extraction.Thirty-six percent of employers allowed the 30 minute periods mandated by law for extraction. Factors associated to continuing breastfeeding were: working in the private setting, having a place designated for extraction, knowing that employers were mandated to have such a place, being allowed time for extraction, and knowing the laws protecting breastfeeding. There is need for more education to working mothers about their rights to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.