Most working mothers lack reliable lactation support at work, survey shows

By Alyssa Place, This is my expertise
Published 4 Min Read

Woman and child breastfeeding
Adobe Stock

While breastfeeding remains a priority for parents, structural barriers continue to make the journey challenging — especially in workplaces.

According to a survey by Mamava and Medela, nearly 90% of parents cited the health benefits of breastfeeding — for both baby and mother — as their primary motivation, and nearly half (45%) said they breastfed specifically to avoid relying on formula. While 66% of respondents met the recommendation to exclusively breastfeed for the first six months, sustaining the practice beyond one year remains a challenge: Only 54% were still breastfeeding at one year, and just 16% continued to two years, the updated target recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization. 

Alyssa Place
Editor-in-chief

Alyssa Place is the editor-in-chief of Employee Benefit News and has been with the team since 2019. Her work covers mental health, DEI, women at work, financial wellness, retirement and workplace … Read full bio


For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.


More From Employee Benefit News

Sign Up Form

Login Modal Form