Why should breastfeeding in the workplace be supported? What are the benefits to the employer for providing breastfeeding support to mothers in the workplace?

READ ALSO: Breastfeeding a shared responsibility

Mid-Morning Magic's Yolanda Maartens speaks to Dr. Lynette Daniels, lecturer and researcher in Human Nutrition at the Department of Global Health at Stellenbosch University to get all the answers. 

Listen to the podcast below.

For further reading, you can download the Supporting breastfeeding in the workplace booklet: A guide for employers and employees. It is available on The National Department of Health website: https://sidebyside.co.za/booklets/.

This booklet details information relating to setting up a breastfeeding room, women`s breastfeeding rights in the workplace, guiding steps to become a breastfeeding-friendly workplace, and a developed "do not disturb" signage and "breastfeeding friendly" workplace signage are provided.

The workplace breastfeeding support practice model, developed by Daniels et al (2020), is a useful tool that provides guidance to workplaces that want to start and/or strengthen breastfeeding support in the workplace. Click here to find out more.

Daniels LC. Support for exclusive breastfeeding in the workplace: Development of a practice model for designated workplaces in the Breede Valley sub-district, Western Cape Province, South Africa [Unpublished doctoral dissertation]: Stellenbosch University; 2020.