There are many important benefits for mothers [2], babies [2,5], employers [2], and the community [2] when breastfeeding is continued upon returning to work.
Healthier baby
Mothers have fewer trips to the doctor or sleepless nights tending to a sick baby and spend less on health care. This means they are more productive and happier at work.
Less time off work
Parents are less likely to be absent from work due to illness of the baby and are better able to concentrate on their work knowing their baby is well.
Maintain job skills
Mothers are more likely to return to work and return earlier if breastfeeding is supported at the workplace.
Special bonding
Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby. Combining breastfeeding and work allows for the maintenance of the special mother/baby relationship.
Healthy mother
Mothers who breastfeed have a reduced risk of developing health problems such as ovarian cancer and pre-menopausal breast cancer.
Free baby food
Formula can cost up to $1,200 a year. Breastmilk is free.
Helps bonding
When breastfeeding, a mother releases relaxing hormones that help her bond with her baby.
Less illness
Babies who are fed breast milk have lower rates of many infections and diseases:
Perfect food
Breastmilk contains important ingredients that are not found in any formula making it the perfect food to help baby grow, develop and learn in the best possible way.
More easily digested
Breastmilk is more easily digested than formula. Breastfed babies are rarely constipated and are less likely to get diarrhoea.
Reduced absenteeism
Breastfed babies are healthier; there will be less days off to care for a sick baby, and fewer trips to the doctor.
Increased productivity
Employers who support breastfeeding mothers enhance employer-employee relations resulting in a more motivated, committed, and productive workforce.
Lower staff turnover
There are reduced recruitment costs due to lower staff turnover or loss of skilled workers as mothers are more likely to return, or return sooner, from maternity leave.
Reduced training costs
There is also a higher financial return to the employer’s investment in ‘on-the-job’ and other training due to earlier return from maternity leave or improved staff retention. Employees retain their work skills and thus require less re-training.
Positive corporate image
There will be a more cost-effective recruiting capacity due to a ‘good employer’ reputation and a positive corporate image.
Reduced health care costs
Preventable illnesses such as gastrointestinal upsets, allergies and asthma, diabetes, overweight and obesity, and both respiratory and urinary tract infections are reduced.
Reduced ecological damage
Breastfeeding reduces production, packaging, and disposal of breastmilk substitutes and containers. It also saves food resources, fuel and energy.
Healthier workforce
There are long-term benefits to employers and to the whole community from having a healthier workforce, keeping health costs and health insurance costs down. In the short term it will result in healthier babies. In the long term it will result in a workforce where more employees have been breastfed and have gained the long term benefits of this form of infant feeding.
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