Breastfeeding Cut Short by Mothers who Return to Full-Time Jobs Following Maternity Leave

Returning to a full-time job after pregnancy could significantly strain the amount of time new mothers need for breastfeeding their babies, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Human Lactation. Researchers found that for many mothers who planned on returning to their job full-time following pregnancy, they were significantly less likely to complete their breastfeeding goals.

"Support for a mother's delayed return to paid employment, or return at part-time hours, may help more mothers achieve their breast-feeding intentions," the researchers wrote, via Health Day. "This may increase breast-feeding rates and have important public health implications for U.S. mothers and infants."

However, they also found that mothers who returned shortly after to part-time work were more likely than those who returned full-time to breastfeed for at least three months.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from close to 1,200 new mothers in the United States and found that about 29 percent of those who had hoped to breastfeed for at least three months did not meet their objective.

Findings also revealed that mothers who returned to work full time before six weeks were about 2 percent less likely to meet these goals than counterparts. On the other hand, those who returned to work full-time between six weeks and three months were a little less than 2 percent less likely to meet the same goals.

However, for mothers who returned during the same period for part-time jobs, the results did not apply.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the article "Maternity Leave Duration and Full-time/Part-time Work Status Are Associated with US Mothers' Ability to Meet Breastfeeding Intentions."