Use and Conditions of a Breastfeeding Room in a Tertiary Health Institution: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Background

Creating environments that facilitate breastfeeding (BF) practice in the workplace is an effective way to promote BF. However, few studies have addressed this sensitive and relevant topic in Mexican healthcare institutions.

Objective

Describe the conditions and use of the breastfeeding room (BFR) at a tertiary health institution and identify the perceptions of reproductive-age female workers, and the department heads and human resources staff (DH/HR).

Methods

A cross-sectional study (observational and exploratory) was conducted with 150 female reproductive-age workers and 41 DH/HR staff. They completed self-administered questionnaires, and responded to a semi-structured interview guide designed for the study. Participant observations were conducted in the BFR. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed, considering statistical significance at p<0.05.

Results

Only 40 of the women of reproductive-age were aware of the existence of the BFR; and only one of the 20 who knew the specific location considered it to have proper conditions for milk extraction and storage. Between 21 and 28% of the participants considered that BF promotion actions were being conducted at the Institute. Although 61% of DH/HR reported knowing the existence of the BFR, the majority (80%) did not know if any female worker had used it.

Conclusions

Most of the Institute’s female workers of reproductive age did not know of the BFR’s existence, seldom used it, and said it lacked optimal conditions. Efforts to improve BFR conditions and functioning, as well as raise breastfeeding awareness at the workplace must be systematically promoted.