Prevalence of Breastfeeding among Working versus Nonworking Mothers in Saudi Arabia: A Regional Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Breastfeeding practices in Saudi Arabia may vary between working and non-working mothers. Working hours and work-related responsibilities may be obstacles to exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). This study aims to investigate the prevalence of breastfeeding among working versus non-working mothers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and to investigate barriers to EBF among working mothers. This was a cross-sectional survey-based study, in which 507 women were surveyed, predominantly aged 26–33 years. The data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire sent randomly through social media. The Chi-squared test was employed to assess the prevalence and the factors influencing the choice of breastfeeding methods in these groups. EBF rate was 82% and 85.5% in non-working and working mothers, respectively. Exclusively breastfeeding mothers favored direct breastfeeding (54%) and mostly breastfed for over 6 months of their infants’ age (92%), whereas non-EBF mothers favored a combination of milk pumps and direct breastfeeding (P ≤ 0.001). The majority of working mothers strongly agree with the continuation of breastfeeding for the first 6 months of the child’s life if the workplace provides special breastfeeding facilities, provides paid maternity leave, or if they get help with housework. There was no difference in the duration of breastfeeding in working mothers compared to nonworking mothers. Working mothers report many barriers to breastfeeding, and those strategies should be targeted by governmental programs to enhance EBF practices.