How to Navigate Breastfeeding As A Working Mother

Breastfeeding; Not an hindrance to career success

“Breastfeeding is the foundation of lifelong health and well-being. It is a simple, cost-effective, and natural way to provide infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development,” said Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Nigeria’s Country Representative. 

As mothers, we know how true this is. Breastfeeding is more than just feeding—it’s bonding, nurturing, and giving your baby the best start in life. 

Despite this powerful truth, exclusive breastfeeding rates in Nigeria remain low. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have identified some of the key barriers: insufficient maternity leave, lack of workplace support, and limited access to breastfeeding education and services. These challenges can make it difficult for mothers to maintain exclusive breastfeeding, especially when they have to return to work shortly after childbirth.

This raises a fundamental question: Does being a mother mean giving up your career or passion, especially when it comes to such an essential aspect of child care—nutrition?

The answer lies in community support. There’s a popular African proverb that says: “It takes a community to raise a child.” But what does this community look like in today’s context, especially for working mothers trying to balance their jobs with the needs of their babies?

Who makes up the community ?

The Government

The Workplace

The Healthcare System

Mothers and Families

How the Community can help close the gaps

Mothers: Taking the Lead in Advocating for Support

1.Talk to your employer about your breastfeeding needs.

2. Make use of available tools like lactation consultants, support groups, and trusted online resources.

3. Plan ahead: think about how to express and store milk at work.

4. Connect with other breastfeeding mothers—peer support goes a long way.

Workplaces: Creating Breastfeeding-Friendly Environments

1.Offer paid maternity leave and allow for breastfeeding breaks.

2. Provide private, clean lactation rooms.

3. Introduce flexible work options like remote work or flexible hours.

4. Educate both staff and managers on how to support breastfeeding mothers.

Healthcare Providers: Guiding the Journey

1.Offer pre and postnatal care that includes breastfeeding education.

2. Help mothers navigate challenges like latching problems or milk supply.

3. Promote breastfeeding as the standard, not the exception.

Policy Makers: Building Stronger Foundations

1.Pass laws that protect breastfeeding rights in the workplace.

2. Fund public health campaigns to promote breastfeeding awareness.

3. Support research that helps improve breastfeeding policies.

4. Enforce restrictions on the marketing of breast milk substitutes.

Balancing Work and Motherhood

It’s important to remember that your well-being directly affects your baby’s health. Striking a balance between work and family life is not just beneficial—it’s essential. When mothers are supported, they are more empowered to provide the best for their babies while also fulfilling their personal goals and dreams.

Breastfeeding shouldn’t be a choice between your child and your career. With the right support system in place—your “community”—both are possible.