UNITED NATIONS: Commemorating World Breastfeeding Week, United Nations (UN) agencies on Tuesday stressed the importance of increased breastfeeding support within workplaces worldwide.
Over the past decade, exclusive breastfeeding rates have risen by an impressive 10 percentage points, 48 percent globally, as the UNICEF-UN Children’s Fund and WHO- World Health Organization reported.
To further advance progress and achieve the global target of 70 percent by 2030, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a joint statement underlining the significance of supportive workplaces. Research reveals that breastfeeding rates drop significantly for women upon returning to work, but this negative impact can be reversed when employers facilitate breastfeeding their babies.
Family-friendly workplace policies, including paid maternity leave, breastfeeding breaks, and designated breastfeeding or milk expression rooms, foster an environment that benefits both working women, and employers. “These policies yield economic returns by reducing maternity-related absenteeism, increasing female workers’ retention, and cutting costs associated with hiring and training new staff,” the UN officials emphasized.
Empowering Working Mothers through Breastfeeding Policies
Highlighting the numerous benefits of supporting breastfeeding for mothers, babies, and businesses, UNICEF and WHO advised governments, donors, civil society, and the private sector to back all working mothers, including those in the informal sector or with temporary contracts. In addition to workplace support, the UN agencies advocate for sufficient paid leave for all working parents and caregivers to cater to the needs of their children. They further urge increased investments in breastfeeding support policies and programs across all settings.
The scientific evidence backing the health benefits of breastfeeding is well-documented and irrefutable. From the earliest moments of a child’s life, breastfeeding plays a crucial role in a child’s survival and development. It shields infants from common infectious diseases and boosts their immune systems, providing essential nutrients for optimal growth.
According to WHO and UNICEF recommendations, breastfeeding should commence within the first hour of birth and continue exclusively for the first six months of a child’s life, meaning no other foods or liquids are given, including water. Infants should be breastfed on demand, day and night. From six months of age, children can begin consuming safe and adequate complementary foods while continuing to breastfeed until the age of two or beyond.
