Chang, Yan‐Shing, Harger, Laura, Beake, Sarah and Bick, Debra (2021) Women's and employers’ experiences and views of combining breastfeeding with a return to paid employment : a systematic review of qualitative studies. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 66 (5). pp. 641-655. doi:10.1111/jmwh.13243 ISSN 1526-9523. [ 🗎 Public]. [ (🔓): Yes ].

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Abstract

Introduction
Returning to paid employment is one of the reasons women stop breastfeeding earlier than they planned to. This systematic review aimed to provide insight into the experiences and views of women and employers on breastfeeding and returning to paid employment, with findings used to inform practice and policy.

Methods
The review was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence. Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies published in English. JBI's meta-aggregative approach informed data analysis. The studies in this analysis included women who stopped breastfeeding before, and those who continued breastfeeding after, returning to paid employment and the employers, work managers, or supervisors of women who continued breastfeeding after returning to paid employment.

Results
Twenty-six articles presenting findings from 25 studies were included and critically appraised. Synthesized findings showed that women experienced physical and emotional difficulties and described gender and employment inequalities in accessing and receiving the support they needed. Women reported that the importance of their own motivation and having workplace legislation in place facilitated breastfeeding during employment. Support from employers, colleagues, and family members, as well as access to convenient child care, helped women continue breastfeeding on return to paid employment. Employers’ personal experiences influenced their views on breastfeeding and working, and the need for more education and communication between employers and employers on breastfeeding in the workplace was recognized.

Discussion
Support from family, work colleagues, and employers was important to reduce the physical and emotional challenges women experienced when combing breastfeeding with return to paid employment. Gender inequalities, especially in low- and middle-income countries, in accessing support exacerbated the difficulties women experienced. Limited data were identified regarding employers’ experiences and views, suggesting an urgent need for further research to explore employers’ and work colleagues’ experiences and views.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School > Clinical Trials Unit Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Medicine > Warwick Medical School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Breastfeeding, Women -- Employment, Sex role in the work environment, Maternity leave, Qualitative research
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health
Publisher:	Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc
ISSN:	1526-9523
Official Date:	14 October 2021
Dates:	Date Event 14 October 2021 Published 22 August 2021 Available 11 April 2021 Accepted 15 February 2020 Submitted
Volume:	66
Number:	5
Page Range:	pp. 641-655
DOI:	10.1111/jmwh.13243
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit:	16 August 2022
Date of first compliant Open Access:	24 August 2022

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