This petition is to bring awareness to the challenges breastfeeding mothers in The Bahamas face when returning to the workplace.

The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages mothers to exclusively breastfeed their baby for at least the first six (6) months of life as it’s known to have valuable benefits for both baby and mom.

Benefits of breastfeeding for baby include:
· Key nutrients for nourishment and growth
· Improved cognitive development
· Protection against common childhood infections
· Emotional development and stability

Benefits of breastfeeding for mother include:
·  Increased healing and reduction of uterus
·  Reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancer
·  Increased Weight loss (up to 500 calories daily) 
·  Easily accessible
·  Cost-savings

Without breastfeeding support or accommodation in the workplace many women stop breastfeeding, endure breast engorgement (hard, full, painful breasts) or are forced to express milk in a car, storage room or bathroom (where waste is eliminated). Understandably, every mother is not able to breastfeed, however, there are mothers who wish to but are discouraged when they return to work and have no means of maintaining their supply. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand process meaning a mom has to express milk (baby’s suckling or via a pump) every 3 hours in order to continue producing enough milk for her child/children. If the mother decreases her breastfeeding sessions the amount of milk available will also decrease.

Workplace policies to support breastfeeding would allow moms to continue providing a daily supply of nutrient-rich milk for their babies natural development.

Here are a few policy suggestions:
·  Allow for flexible breaks/scheduling to express milk during work (Moms should express milk every 3 hours to maintain milk supply

·  Provide a private space to express milk. (The bathroom is not an option, it’s where waste is eliminated not a place for food preparation. Creating a room or space for breastfeeding creates greater job satisfaction as it facilitates a balance between breastfeeding and work; it helps BF women feel more at ease during work hours and increases their performance as they feel more motivated to carry out their duties; it greatly facilitates the return to work after maternity leave and reduces leave for childcare; and shows that staff are recognized, respected and supported as mothers)

·  Provide a designated storage area for the milk (Milk expressed at work may be stored in a refrigerator and taken home after work)

·   More options for returning to work (remote/hybrid work)

·   On-site childcare

·   Certified lactation support services

The recent baby formula recall on February 17th, 2022 has shown babies being hospitalized for consuming contaminated formula. With the development and implementation of breastfeeding policies in the workplace, more mothers who choose to breastfeed can continue to meet the food needs of their babies while fulfilling their job roles. This allows for a smoother transition from new mom to working mom, without any negative side effects to the baby’s milk supply. This also allows for the mother’s body to maintain its natural and adequate supply of milk production.

Regards,

Kimberly Munroe

Mother of 4