DOHA: A Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) survey has found that over 50 percent of mothers cite returning to work as the main reason they stop breastfeeding.
The survey was conducted to identify challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers, particularly those returning to work.
It polled more over 450 Qatari and expatriate mothers working in the private and government sectors.
Also, 39 percent of respondents said they didn’t have time to breastfeed regularly due to busy work schedules. More than 50 percent found it difficult to work and maintain breastfeeding particularly due to lack of facilities within the workplace to pump.
However, majority of mothers said while the one-hour reduction in working hours was beneficial, it was not sufficient to breastfeed, particularly if they had a heavy workload.
The labour law stipulates that maternity leave should be 50 working days and mothers can leave workplace one hour early for up to one year. Stress at work or not being able to feed their babies on time was another factor that prevented mothers from wanting to continue breastfeeding, as they believed it affected milk flow.
Eman Nasralla, Community Relations and Development Manager, Sidra, whose team conducted the research, said, “Our survey was developed to support a pledge Sidra had undertaken in recognition of World Breastfeeding Week.
“This year the World Breastfeeding Week Association called for concerted global action to support women to combine breastfeeding and work.
“We wanted to have a better understanding of some of the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers going back to work in Qatar and whether these challenges lead to reducing or stopping breastfeeding.
“We also wanted to identify measures we as an employer needed to consider to make the transition back to workplace smoother for working mothers,” Nasralla added.
Recommendations by mothers during the survey included reducing the working day by up to three hours; or providing more flexible schedules to allow enough time for mothers to come in late or leave work early so that they can maintain regular breastfeeding and increased bonding time with their babies; being able to work from home a few days a week; having nurseries within or close to the workplace to allow mothers easier and faster access to their babies during feed times; and an opportunity to bond with their babies as often as possible.
Over 90 percent of women said they were aware of the importance of breastfeeding, with more than 50 percent saying they breastfed because it is beneficial for the child and the mother.
The Peninsula
DOHA: A Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) survey has found that over 50 percent of mothers cite returning to work as the main reason they stop breastfeeding.
The survey was conducted to identify challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers, particularly those returning to work.
It polled more over 450 Qatari and expatriate mothers working in the private and government sectors.
Also, 39 percent of respondents said they didn’t have time to breastfeed regularly due to busy work schedules. More than 50 percent found it difficult to work and maintain breastfeeding particularly due to lack of facilities within the workplace to pump.
However, majority of mothers said while the one-hour reduction in working hours was beneficial, it was not sufficient to breastfeed, particularly if they had a heavy workload.
The labour law stipulates that maternity leave should be 50 working days and mothers can leave workplace one hour early for up to one year. Stress at work or not being able to feed their babies on time was another factor that prevented mothers from wanting to continue breastfeeding, as they believed it affected milk flow.
Eman Nasralla, Community Relations and Development Manager, Sidra, whose team conducted the research, said, “Our survey was developed to support a pledge Sidra had undertaken in recognition of World Breastfeeding Week.
“This year the World Breastfeeding Week Association called for concerted global action to support women to combine breastfeeding and work.
“We wanted to have a better understanding of some of the challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers going back to work in Qatar and whether these challenges lead to reducing or stopping breastfeeding.
“We also wanted to identify measures we as an employer needed to consider to make the transition back to workplace smoother for working mothers,” Nasralla added.
Recommendations by mothers during the survey included reducing the working day by up to three hours; or providing more flexible schedules to allow enough time for mothers to come in late or leave work early so that they can maintain regular breastfeeding and increased bonding time with their babies; being able to work from home a few days a week; having nurseries within or close to the workplace to allow mothers easier and faster access to their babies during feed times; and an opportunity to bond with their babies as often as possible.
Over 90 percent of women said they were aware of the importance of breastfeeding, with more than 50 percent saying they breastfed because it is beneficial for the child and the mother.
The Peninsula
