World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) is celebrated on August 1-7 every year. The global campaign, supported by WHO, UNICEF, Ministries of Health and civil society partners, aims to raise awareness around the world about the importance of breastfeeding and the benefits of breastfeeding for mothers and babies.
The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2023 is "Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents" or "Enabling Breastfeeding: Making a difference for working parents". Breastfeeding for working mothers has been a challenge often faced by many women. Many working mothers who are still breastfeeding struggle with paid maternity leave, workplace support and parenting values related to breastfeeding from the perspective of parents.
The goal of the global World Breastfeeding Week campaign is not only to focus on the rights of working mothers who breastfeed. It involves government agencies, workplaces, communities and parents in empowering families and maintaining a breastfeeding-friendly environment in the workplace. Because some of the things that can hinder exclusive breastfeeding are limited time, distance between mother and baby, fatigue in the mother, no breastfeeding room or breast milk storage to a less supportive work environment. So in this ASI Week campaign, it is hoped that all parties can support working mothers who want to provide exclusive breastfeeding to their little ones.
Breastfeeding Tips for Working Mothers
Successful exclusive breastfeeding for working mothers requires proper planning, commitment, and support. With proper planning and adequate support, breastfeeding can still be done even when the mother returns to work. Here are some tips to help working moms breastfeed exclusively:
1. Start preparing before returning to work
Actually, working is not an obstacle for mothers to breastfeed exclusively. Because when returning to work, breastfeeding mothers can express or pump breast milk at the workplace which can be given to the child or as breast milk stock.
While breastfeeding mothers are still on maternity leave, start planning how you will breastfeed exclusively after returning to work. Practice breastfeeding and expressing a few weeks before you have to return to work to build up your milk supply and get used to the process.
2. Consistent breastfeeding schedule
During the first few weeks after birth, it is important to breastfeed as often as possible. Frequent breastfeeding can help stimulate milk production and ensure the baby gets enough nutrients. This is because breastmilk production is based on the principle of demand and supply.
Establish a consistent breastfeeding schedule at home and at work. Try to breastfeed your baby as often as possible while at home and make sure your baby gets enough milk before you go to work.
3. Maintain nutrition and fluid intake
During breastfeeding, breastfeeding mothers should pay attention to the fulfillment of nutritional and fluid intake both at home and at work. Choose foods as breast milk boosters so that breast milk production remains abundant, do not skip breakfast or lunch.
Make sure to also pay attention to the amount of protein consumed by mothers every day, which is 20 grams. For fluid intake, breastfeeding mothers should drink more than 2 liters per day. If needed, breastfeeding mothers can take breast milk supplements or vitamins recommended by the doctor.
4. Stay relaxed and avoid excessive stress
In addition to these factors, the key to successful breastfeeding is also influenced by one's own mental factors. Breastfeeding mothers who are in a good mood are believed to be able to produce breast milk more smoothly.
Juggling work and breastfeeding can cause stress. Try to find ways to manage stress well, such as exercising, meditating, or talking to someone you trust. Working mothers who are breastfeeding are expected to manage their emotions and stay relaxed to avoid excessive stress that can inhibit milk production.
5. Get support from the office
A study published by the International Breastfeeding Journal states that the workplace is one of the factors that play an important role in determining whether or not a breastfeeding mother can provide exclusive breastfeeding.
So, there is nothing wrong with informing the office so that they can provide time to pump breast milk at certain hours that will not interfere with working hours.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Mother and Baby
Breastfeeding provides various important benefits for babies. Here are some of the main benefits of breastfeeding as reported by the Ministry of Health:
For Infants
1. Breast milk as nutrition where breast milk is the sole food to fulfill all the growth needs of the baby until the age of 6 months.
2. Breast milk increases the baby's immune system because it contains various anti-immune substances so that they will get sick less often.
3. Breast milk increases intelligence because it contains fatty acids needed for brain growth so that exclusively breastfed babies are potentially smarter.
4. Breast milk increases affection so that it can support personality development, emotional intelligence, spiritual maturity, and good social relationships.
Benefits for mothers
1. Reduces bleeding after childbirth.
2. Reduces the occurrence of anemia due to iron deficiency because breastfeeding reduces bleeding.
3. Delays pregnancy because breastfeeding is a safe, inexpensive, and effective method of contraception.
4. Shrinks the uterus as the breastfeeding mother's increased oxytocin levels help the uterus to return to its pre-pregnancy size.
5. Slimming down faster because breastfeeding requires energy so the body will take it from the fat stored during pregnancy.
Well, that's the importance of breastfeeding, the benefits of breast milk for your little one and tips for exclusive breastfeeding for working mothers. During World Breastfeeding Week! (Aq/MKK)
Komen
250