Work Hassles Affect Breast-Feeding

Have you breastfed or do you plan to breastfeed your baby for the suggested 6 months? During your pregnancy, did you realize that you may have to make a choice between working and breastfeeding your baby?

What hassles did you find worked against your ability to breastfeed?

An interesting initiative to increase a mother's ability to breastfeed took a closer look at what obstacles hindered the breastfeeding relationship.

It found that; "Women whose own mothers and grandmothers didn't breast-feed lack support and even may face skepticism, said Benjamin. She urged education of family members, including dad, during prenatal visits — and noted that breast-feeding can save up to $1,500 in infant formula in the first year of life.

Doctors and hospitals should stress the benefits of breast-feeding, before and at delivery. Certified lactation consultants can help ensure women get help with such issues as how the baby latches on and how to ease breast discomfort, she said.

But a big focus is on employers, to make sure moms have the time and privacy to pump milk when they return to work.

"It makes economic sense for the company," Benjamin stressed. "Women miss less time at work when the babies are healthy, and there's retention of their good employees."

That's why AOL Inc. created what it calls "mothers' rooms" in its offices in 15 cities around the country. They're quiet nursing spots that come equipped with two different kinds of breast pumps so moms don't have to haul as much gear, and part of a broader program that also includes access to lactation consultants that serves about 100 families a year.

The investment paid off, said vice president Gillian Pon: Since 2003, the company has seen a jump in employee breast-feeding and a drop in health claims for sick newborns."

Will you be facing any of these challenges? How do you plan to navigate them if you wish to commit to breastfeeding?