By The objectives this year are:
- Expand awareness of the need for and the value of providing support to a breastfeeding mother
- To disseminate updated information about the support for breastfeeding mothers
- To create optimal conditions for the provision of mother support in all circles of support.
The official Olympic symbols of five interlocking coloured rings are ideal for describing the five circles of support for breastfeeding.
These circles illustrate the potential influences on a mother's decision to breastfeed and to have a positive breastfeeding experience.
The circles of support are:
Family and social network
Workplace and employment
Government and legislation
Healthcare
Response to crisis or emergency all surrounding the woman in the centre circle.
This article will emphasise on the influence of the workplace and employment where employed women face challenges and need support to succeed at working and breastfeeding.
Women work for a variety of reasons, including financial and social rewards.
Today, working women are the rule, rather than the exception.
Most women return to work at a time when they could still be breastfeeding. It is certainly possible to successfully combine breastfeeding and employment.
A supportive workplace can make a big difference.
The benefits are far reaching for the babies, mothers and employers.
Creating a breastfeeding-friendly workplace
Some of the benefits:
Benefits to the employer:
Breastfeeding women are less likely to be absent from work to tend to a sick baby
Breastfeeding women are more likely to return to work (less staff turnover), enabling employers to keep trained, experienced and motivated workers
These women have improved work satisfaction, hence, improved productivity and morale
Companies who establish Mother-Friendly Workplace initiatives improve their corporate image and are viewed as progressive employers who are supportive of families.
Benefits to the baby:
- Breastfeeding meets a baby's nutritional and emotional needs for the first six months, and continues to contribute to the baby's nutritional and emotional health into the second year and beyond
- They have stronger immune system which means they have fewer infections, less frequent food allergies, and less severe illnesses, resulting in fewer hospitalisations
- Decreased risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
- Improved IQ
Breastfeeding confirms a mother's unique ability to feed her infant in the best way possible. This in turn can be empowering
Breastfeeding offers satisfaction for the mother that she is providing her child with the best milk available to promote optimum infant health
Breastfeeding strengthens the bond between mother and child ahich is important for women whose job separates them from their children
Breastfeeding helps moms to get into shape faster and decreases their future risks of breast and ovarian cancers.
It is essential that the employee be offered:
Flexible time schedule to accommodate pumping or breastfeeding
A comfortable area to breastfeed. Many mothers appreciate a quiet space with a comfortable chair, a table and hand washing facilities nearby. Appropriate signage can also be offered
Mothers who pump may require access to an electrical outlet if using an electric pump
Mothers who express or pump their milk may need access to refrigeration.
Option of part time or job sharing
Extended maternity leave
On site or nearby day care
Working from home whenever possible
Support/ information from breastfeeding resource personnel
- Ministry of Health Public Awareness Programme
Source: Weekend, 2 Aug 2008
No comments:
Post a Comment