Working Mother’s Breastfeeding Experience: A Phenomenology Qualitative Approach

Natalia Damaiyanti Putri Raden, Eufrasia Prinata Padeng, Dionesia Octaviani Laput

Abstract

Breast milk is a diet that satisfies all of a baby’s physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs because it contains nutrients, hormones, immunological components and growth factors. Unfortunately, many working mothers choose to stop breastfeeding due to various factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of working mothers in exclusive breastfeeding. This study used a qualitative research design with a phenomenological descriptive approach. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and then analyzed using the Colaizzi method. The study results show that children who receive exclusive breastfeeding are healthier and have adequate nutrition. However, working mothers have difficulty in breastfeeding. So, support from partners, family members, supervisors and colleagues influences a mother’s decision to breastfeed. In addition, leave regulations and child care facilities at work affect breastfeeding ability of working mothers. This study provides information about breastfeeding challenges and the support needed by breastfeeding mothers working to formulate better policies that support breastfeeding. Policies covering employee rights and privileges, such as extended maternity leave, support facilities and child care services, are critical to the success of exclusive breastfeeding by working mothers.

Keywords

breastfeeding; exclusive breastfeeding; experience; working mother

Full Text:

PDF

References

Abekah-Nkrumah, G., Antwi, M. Y., Nkrumah, J., & Gbagbo, F. Y. (2020). Examining working mothers’ experience of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15, 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00300-0

Ayton, J. E., Tesch, L., & Hansen, E. (2019). Women’s experiences of ceasing to breastfeed: Australian qualitative study. BMJ open, 9(5), e026234. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026234

Ballesta-Castillejos, A., Gómez-Salgado, J., Rodríguez-Almagro, J., Ortiz-Esquinas, I., & Hernández-Martínez, A. (2020). Factors that influence mothers’ prenatal decision to breastfeed in Spain. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15, 97. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00341-5

Basrowi, R. W., Sastroasmoro, S., Sulistomo, A. W., Bardosono, S., Hendarto, A., Soemarko, D. S., Sungkar, A., Khoe, L. C., & Vandenplas, Y. (2018). Challenges and supports of breastfeeding at workplace in Indonesia. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, 21(4), 248–256. https://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2018.21.4.248

Bengough, T., Dawson, S., Cheng, H.-L., McFadden, A., Gavine, A., Rees, R., Sacks, E., & Hannes, K. (2022). Factors that influence women’s engagement with breastfeeding support: A qualitative evidence synthesis. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 18(4), e13405. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13405

Chen, J., Xin, T., Gaoshan, J., Li, Q., Zou, K., Tan, S., Cheng, Y., Liu, Y., Chen, J., Wang, H., Mu, Y., Jiang, L., & Tang, K. (2019). The association between work related factors and breastfeeding practices among Chinese working mothers: A mixed-method approach. International Breastfeeding Journal, 14, 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-019-0223-z

Consales, A., Morniroli, D., Vizzari, G., Mosca, F., & Giannì, M. L. (2022). Nutrition for Infant Feeding. Nutrients, 14(9), 1823. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14091823

Debevec, A. D., & Evanson, T. A. (2016). Improving breastfeeding support by understanding women’s perspectives and emotional experiences of breastfeeding. Nursing for Women’s Health, 20(5), 464–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2016.08.008

Dror, D. K., & Allen, L. H. (2018). Overview of nutrients in human milk. Advances in Nutrition, 9(1), 278S-294S. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmy022

Febrianingtyas, Y., Februhartanty, J., Nurcahyati, D., & Hadihardjono. (2019). Workplace support and exclusive breastfeeding practice: A qualitative study in Jakarta, Indonesia. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 25(1), 129–142. https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2018-0107

Hatala, T. N., Tuasikal, H., & Ambon, K. (2022). Pengalaman ibu bekerja dalam menyusui anak usia 0-6 bulan di Desa Batumerah. Jurnal Keperawatan Jiwa, 10(3), 609–614. Retrieved from https://jurnal.unimus.ac.id/index.php/JKJ/article/view/9817

Hauck, Y. L., Bradfield, Z., & Kuliukas, L. (2021). Women’s experiences with breastfeeding in public: An integrative review. Women and Birth, 34(3), e217–e227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.04.008

Hendaus, M. A., Alhammadi, A. H., Khan, S., Osman, S., & Hamad, A. (2018). Breastfeeding rates and barriers: A report from the state of Qatar. International journal of women's health, 10, 467– http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S161003

Ickes, S. B., Adams, J. N., Sanders, H. K., Kinyua, J., Lemein, H. S., Denno, D. M., Myhre, J. A., Ithondeka, A., Farquhar, C., Singa, B., Walson, J. L., & Nduati, R. (2022). Access to workplace supports is positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding among formally employed mothers in Kenya. The Journal of Nutrition, 152(12), 2888–2897. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxac160

James, L., Sweet, L., & Donnellan-Fernandez, R. (2020). Self-efficacy, support and sustainability – A qualitative study of the experience of establishing breastfeeding for first-time Australian mothers following early discharge. International Breastfeeding Journal, 15, 98. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00337-1

Law of the republic of Indonesia. (2003). Law of the republic of Indonesia number 13 of 2003 concerning Employment. Retrieved from https://kemenperin.go.id/kompetensi/UU_13_2003.pdf

Law of the republic of Indonesia. (2009). Law of the republic of Indonesia number 36 of 2009 concerning Health. Retrieved from https://infeksiemerging.kemkes.go.id/download/UU_36_2009_Kesehatan.pdf

Lyons, G. C., Kay, M. C., Duke, N. N., Bian, A., Schildcrout, J. S., Perrin, E. M., Rothman, R. L., Yin, H. S., Sanders, L. M., Flower, K. B., Delamater, A. M., & Heerman, W. J. (2023). Social support and breastfeeding outcomes among a racially and ethnically diverse population. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 64(3), 352–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2022.10.002

Maponya, N., Rensburg, Z. J. van, & Plessis-Faurie, A. Du. (2021). Understanding South African mothers’ challenges to adhere to exclusive breastfeeding at the workplace: A qualitative study. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 8(3), 339–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2021.05.010

Ministry of Health. (2022). Laporan kinerja Kementerian Kesehatan 2021. Retrieved from https://kesmas.kemkes.go.id/assets/uploads/contents/others/Lakip_Kesmas_20211.pdf

Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia. (2013). Regulation of the Ministry of Health of Republic of Indonesia number 15 year 2013 regarding procedures for provision of special facilities for breastfeeding and/or express breast milk. Retrieved from https://aimi-asi.org/storage/app/media/pustaka/Dasar-Dasar%20Hukum/Permenkes%20No.%2015%20Th.%202013%20Tentang%20Fasilitas%20Khusus%20Menyusui%20dan%20Memerah%20ASI.pdf

Mogre, V., Dery, M., & Gaa, P. K. (2016). Knowledge, attitudes and determinants of exclusive breastfeeding practice among Ghanaian rural lactating mothers. International Breastfeeding Journal, 11, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-016-0071-z

Nkrumah, G. A., Antwi, M. Y., Nkrumah, J., & Yao, G. F. (2020). Examining working mothers’ experience of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana. International breastfeeding journal, 15, 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-020-00300-0

Ogbo, F. A., Ezeh, O. K., Khanlari, S., Naz, S., Senanayake, P., Ahmed, K. Y., McKenzie, A., Ogunsiji, O., Agho, K., Page, A., Ussher, J., Perz, J., Barnett, B., & Eastwood, J. (2019). Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding cessation in the early postnatal period among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Australian mothers. Nutrients, 11(7), 1611. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11071611

Pratiwi, W. R., Hamdiyah, & Nurjanna. (2020). Analisis faktor penghambat pemberian ASI eksklusif Jakarta Barat. Proceeding Book Health National Conference “Stunting dan 8000 Hari Pertama Kehidupan”, pp. 59–64. Retrieved from https://repository.ummat.ac.id/1196/1/12.%20WILDA%20REZKI%2059-64.pdf

Ratnasari, D., Paramashanti, B. A., Hadi, H., Yugistyowati, A., Astiti, D., & Nurhayat, E. (2017). Family support and exclusive breastfeeding among Yogyakarta mothers in employment. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 26(Supplement), Ps31–s35. https://doi.org/10.6133/apjcn.062017.s8

Rempel, L. A., Rempel, J. K., & Moore, K. C. J. (2017). Relationship between types of father breastfeeding support and breastfeeding outcomes. Maternal & child nutrition, 13(3), e12337. https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12337

Sibogun, O. O., Olufunlayo, T. F., & Oyibo, S. O. (2018). Knowledge, attitude and support for exclusive breastfeeding among bankers in mainland local government in Lagos State, Nigeria. International Breastfeeding Journal, 13, 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-018-0182-9

Thorisdottir, B., Odinsdottir, T., Gunnlaugsson, G., Eaton, S., Fewtrell, M. S., Vázquez-Vázquez, A., Kleinman, R. E., Thorsdottir, I., & Wells, J. C. (2023). Metabolizable energy content of breastmilk supports normal growth in exclusively breastfed Icelandic infants to age 6 months. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 118(2), 468–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.06.005

Tsai, S. Y. (2022). Shift-work and breastfeeding for women returning to work in a manufacturing workplace in Taiwan. International Breastfeeding Journal, 17, 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-022-00467-8

Valizadeh, S., Hosseinzadeh, M., Mohammadi, E., Hassankhani, H., Fooladi, M. M., & Schmied, V. (2017). Addressing barriers to health: Experiences of breastfeeding mothers after returning to work. Nursing & Health Sciences, 19(1), 105–111. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12324

Vianita, F. A. (2019). Gambaran pengetahuan, sikap dan perilaku pemberian ASI eksklusif pada ibu pekerja di wilayah kerja Puskesmas Kabupaten Jember. Bachelor Thesis. Jember: Universitas Jember. Retrieved from http://repository.unej.ac.id/handle/123456789/93127

Victora, C. G., Bahl, R., Barros, A. J. D., França, G. V. A., Horton, S., Krasevec, J., Murch, S., Sankar, M. J., Walker, N., & Rollins, N. C. (2016). Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The lancet, 387(10017), 475–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7

Wambach, K., Domian, E. W., Page-Goertz, S., Wurtz, H., & Hoffman, K. (2016). Exclusive breastfeeding experiences among Mexican American women. Journal of Human Lactation, 32(1), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334415599400

WHO. (2018). Breastfeeding. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_3

WHO. (2020). Infants less than 6 months who are fed exclusively with breast milk. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/infants-exclusively-breastfed-for-the-first-six-months-of-life-(-)

WHO. (2021). Infant and young child feeding. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding#:~:text=WHO and UNICEF recommend%3A,years of age or beyond.

Wijaya, F. A. (2019). ASI eksklusif: Nutrisi ideal untuk bayi 0-6 bulan. Cermin Dunia Kedokteran, 4, 46(4), 296–300. Retrieved from https://cdkjournal.com/index.php/CDK/article/view/485

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/agrihealth.v4i2.72525

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.