Workplace Post-Baby Blues

A lack of employer-supported childcare and breastfeeding facilities can hurt the working mother, the child, as well as the company itself.

- Zurien Onn

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months as this has been proven to boost an infant’s immunity and ability to fight illness and infection.

However, a 2006 study conducted by researchers under the Department of Community Medicine, UKM Medical Centre and the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Malaya revealed that 51 per cent of working mothers would discontinue breastfeeding before their child reached 12 months of age.

From this number, 54 per cent of mothers discontinued breastfeeding their babies before the third month, while 35 per cent discontinued after six months.

WOES OF A WORKING MUM

The study may be 13 years old, but the facts have not changed: Many working mothers, even in Malaysia, discontinue breastfeeding due to constraints at work.

Common problems include the lack of basic facilities such as a dedicated room for pumping milk or a refrigerator to temporarily store the milk until the end of the working day, as well as the generally unsupportive attitudes of co-workers who think that pumping mothers take too many breaks (which are considered too long), are not able to finish their work, or are inconveniencing others when they use up a room in the workplace to express their milk.

RESOLVING CHILDCARE ISSUES

Traditionally, the mother is the main caretaker of children. If she is working, the typical option is to send the baby to a babysitter or nursery. However, if the child is sick, babysitters or nursery staff will not accept him or her until the child is well again. This forces at least one of the parents to take leave, usually mum.

Not only are both parent and child affected, but so is the company where the parent works.