For this reason, organizations such as Unicef urge employers to implement measures that allow women to maintain this practice with their working lives.
(Keep reading: Breastfeeding at work contributes to women’s performance)
According to the entity, it is essential to establish lactation rooms in workplaces, as ordered by Law 1823 of 2017, so that women can extract milk in a dignified manner and preserve it; facilitate flexible hours and avoid any type of discrimination, creating an organizational culture that protects breastfeeding in the workplace. These are urgent measures and a first step to guarantee this balance.
According to the ENSIN 2015, the practice of breastfeeding decreased in Colombia: 72% of newborn boys and girls received breast milk in their first hour of life, while only 36.5%
According to the National Survey of the Nutritional Situation (ENSIN, 2015), in Colombia only three out of ten boys and girls are exclusively breastfed during their first months of life, when the recommendation is that babies receive exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and complementary up to two years or more.
Upon returning to their jobs and after their maternity leave, many women must be separated from their children at around four months, which makes it difficult for them to continue their breastfeeding process.
(You may be interested in: Breast milk: a unique source of antibodies transmitted from mother to baby)
According to the ENSIN 2015, the practice of breastfeeding decreased in Colombia: 72% of newborn boys and girls received breast milk in their first hour of life, while only 36.5% of the population between 6 and 23 months have a diet acceptable minimum.
Joining efforts to ensure an increase in breastfeeding in Colombia is a way to combat malnutrition in early childhood and to guarantee adequate nutrition and physical and emotional development of children.
“Investing in breastfeeding is investing in the future of the country. Mothers need the support of their families, their employers and the whole of society to have successful lactation. We don’t want mothers who have to decide between breastfeeding or working.” added the UNICEF Representative in Colombia.
Conversely, low rates of breastfeeding promotion translate into lost productivity and health care costs of treating preventable diseases and high-cost chronic diseases, amounting to billions of dollars annually.
(Also read: Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding and how you should do it)
For this reason, it is essential to inform, involve and sensitize management personnel and other collaborators of companies about the importance and benefits of breastfeeding and the needs of mothers during this period: companies are called upon to develop and implement policies to facilitate breastfeeding and prevent discrimination against pregnant women and mothers, particularly during the lactation period.
“It must be a priority for both private and public entities to work to develop healthy environments for mothers, children and their families; even more so, when the evidence shows that these practices, correctly implemented, can also bring valuable benefits to organizations”, assured Chapuisat.
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D. Vanessa Ortiz
