“You Can’t Bring Your Cat to Work”: Challenges Mothers Face Combining Breastfeeding and Working

Abstract

Despite increasing emphasis in recent years on the importance of breastfeeding for public health, rates in the United States still fall short of goals set by health organizations. In particular, breastfeeding rates for working mothers are lower than for stay at home mothers, despite policy changes to facilitate breastfeeding and working. Based on interviews with 23 mothers who were participants in breastfeeding support groups, this study explores some of the factors contributing to women’s difficulty combining breastfeeding and working. Findings indicate that some women do not return to work because they believe working and breastfeeding are not compatible, while those who do work and breastfeed often lack support from coworkers and managers. In order to improve breastfeeding rates for working mothers, organizations should make their support for breastfeeding mothers explicit beyond formal policies such as lactation rooms.