Breastfeeding practice among women with childcare center in workplace

Abstract

Objective: To describe and analyze exclusive breastfeeding practice among working women with a Childcare Center in the workplace. Methods: The study was conducted in a Childcare Center linked to an Educational Institution. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Cox analysis was used to determine the factors associated with the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Results: The sample involved 46 mothers of children with an average age of 2.6 years. Approximately half of the mothers were 35 years or more, and 73.9% were health professionals. Exclusive breastfeeding prevalence at six months was 15.2%. All mothers had 120 days of maternity leave and only 10.8% enjoyed breastfeeding breaks. The low birth weight, type of follow-up health service, maternal age and child’s age of bottle-feeding introduction were factors associated with duration of exclusive breastfeeding. Conclusion: Maternity leave has been enjoyed in accordance with the law, although other important rights for the protection of breastfeeding were not. Factors associated with the duration of exclusive breastfeeding among working women with Childcare in the workplace are complex and go beyond compliance with labor laws.