AdminKicking off from the 1st to the 7th of August, World Breastfeeding Week 2023 celebrates the crucial role of breastfeeding in providing essential nutrition and antibodies to infants. This year’s theme, “Making breastfeeding at work, work, makes societies work!” centers on supporting working women in their breastfeeding journey.
Dr. Sharmina Kamal Shamsul Kamal, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, highlights the significance of seamless breastfeeding at work to ensure babies’ well-being while mothers balance their professional responsibilities.
“Delayed breastfeeding can be life-threatening. The longer newborns wait to breastfeed, the greater their risk of death. While over 88.6% of babies are breastfed within 24 hours in Malaysia, this number significantly drops to 50.6% after 12 months. Among the reasons for this decline could be the lack of access and support for mothers in the workplace to breastfeed and societal pressures,” Dr. Sharmina Kamal explains.
Societal expectations and breastfeeding efforts
Renowned Malaysian writer and motivational speaker, Xandria Ooi, shared her perspective on societal expectations surrounding breastfeeding in a heartfelt Instagram post. She highlights the self-blame and pressure that many mothers feel when it comes to breastfeeding. Xandria encourages a shift in mindset, recognizing that every effort made in breastfeeding deserves applause and appreciation.
“So much self-blame, self-criticism, and self-judgment comes from society’s conditioning that results matter the most. We put so much pressure on ourselves to achieve results that we automatically seek achievement in breastfeeding too. But the thing is, to even ATTEMPT to breastfeed is already an achievement. It is the EFFORT that deserves all the applause. It is the effort that speaks volumes of our love,” Xandria shared in her Instagram post.
Empowering working mothers
Breastfeeding comes with its own set of challenges, and for working mothers, balancing breastfeeding and professional commitments adds complexity. A recent study indicates that approximately 70.3% of mothers encounter breastfeeding difficulties, including cracked nipples, perceived insufficient milk supply, pain, and fatigue.
Dr. Sharmina Kamal emphasizes the importance of supporting working parents during their breastfeeding journey. She advocates for lactation consultants as vital resources in empowering mothers to overcome these challenges and achieve successful breastfeeding experiences, especially when they face difficulties in expressing milk.
“Lactation consultants are breastfeeding experts who can help mothers with various issues, from latching problems to mastitis and weaning. They can also provide general support and education about breastfeeding at every step of a mother’s breastfeeding journey. Their role empowers new mothers as they embrace the transformative experience of being a working parent, ultimately benefiting their child’s health and well-being,” Dr. Sharmina Kamal explains.
Enhancing breastfeeding support in the workplace
In line with this year’s theme, Dr. Sharmina Kamal emphasizes the significance of providing support for breastfeeding moms in the workplace. Access to dedicated lactation facilities and support services, such as private rooms for pumping and refrigerators for storing breast milk, can ease the breastfeeding journey and reduce stress, allowing mothers to confidently navigate the demands of caring for a newborn while pursuing their careers.
Additionally, group support online or at work with other breastfeeding mothers can be immensely helpful, offering a sense of community and shared experiences.
As World Breastfeeding Week 2023 unfolds, the spotlight is on supporting working mothers and harmonizing their roles as nurturing caregivers and professionals. With the right knowledge, support, and determination, Malaysian parents can continue providing their babies with the nutritional and emotional benefits of breastfeeding while thriving in their careers.
