ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: Working outside the home is related to lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration. Enacted laws promote and support breastfeeding in working places. OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated to breastfeeding after returning to work. METHODS: Anonymous questionnaires distributed among breastfeeding working mothers. RESULTS: The study subjects were 100 mothers. Most of them (77%) worked for the government. Fifty-six percent continued breastfeeding after returning to work. In 33% of the workplaces there was an area designated for milk extraction.Thirty-six percent of employers allowed the 30 minute periods mandated by law for extraction. Factors associated to continuing breastfeeding were: working in the private setting, having a place designated for extraction, knowing that employers were mandated to have such a place, being allowed time for extraction, and knowing the laws protecting breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: There is need for more education to working mothers about their rights to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.
