Breastfeeding

Supporting Information

If a mother cannot be with her baby during working hours, she should breastfeed often when they are together. Frequent breastfeeding will ensure her milk supply.

If a woman cannot breastfeed at her workplace, she should express her milk two or three times during the working day and save it in a clean container. Breastmilk can be stored for up to eight hours at room temperature without going bad. The expressed milk can be given to the child from a clean cup.

The mother should not give breastmilk substitutes.

Families and communities can encourage employers to provide paid maternity leave, crèches, and the time and a suitable place for women to breastfeed or express their milk.