A Critical Review: Employment's Impact on Breastfeeding Duration

This essay provides a critical analysis of the impact of employment on breastfeeding duration, drawing on the work of Skafida and other researchers. It examines the legalization of breastfeeding in public in Scotland, the importance of maternity leave, and the correlation between employment status and breastfeeding duration. The essay highlights that employed mothers often have shorter breastfeeding periods compared to unemployed mothers, and that factors such as age, education, and ethnicity also play a role. The analysis emphasizes the need for policies that support flexible working conditions and adequate maternity leave to promote optimal infant nutrition and health outcomes. The essay concludes that maternity leave and policies supporting breastfeeding are crucial for balancing employment responsibilities with infant nutritional needs.

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Introduction
(Skafida 2) Is an author recognized for publishing some articles concerning matters that relate to
maternal duty for breastfeeding a child. In one of her work, she has covered how breastfeeding in
public was legalized, how breastfeeding should be conducted, and the duration for breastfeeding
a child and the right for women breastfeeding to be allocated maternity leaves. Generally, she
concentrated on breastfeeding and women employment. This is an articles critic in response to
this authors work to show how correct and how right it was for governments to legalize
breastfeeding in public, as well as a code of conduct for breastfeeding women.
Summary
In the past, breastfeeding the public was a very illegal act and actions were taken against any
woman who could be seen breastfeeding their child in public. It was until the year 2005 when the
Scotland leadership legalized this act and allowed women to breastfeed even in public for the
welfare of the babies. (The scotish parliament) Moreover, according to the government, some
women were forced to breastfeed in the public due to the demanding factor that they had to fulfil
those daily job responsibilities even when nurturing their young one. In respect to this, there also
arose a proposal that women practising their motherhood and those breastfeeding were entitled to
maternity leaves.
According to data collected in Scotland, employed women did not give their babies enough time
to breastfeed compared to unemployed ladies. However, the case of self-employed ladies was
very similar to the unemployed ladies where they seemed to give better and longer breastfeeding
duration to their young due to the less demanding job responsibilities assigned to them. This
contributed so much in the collection of essential data that was used to estimate the required
baby breastfeeding period. According to the data collected, it’s noted that young mothers,
illiterate mothers, single mothers, those belonging to the white ethnic background and first-time
mother gave their babies shorter breastfeeding periods.
The factors that were used to explain such conditions were due to age, illiteracy and employment
responsibilities that forced some of these mothers to come back home late after work. This article
aims at explaining the relationship that exists between employment, maternity leave and
breastfeeding duration and how these were significant when controlling known predictors of
breastfeeding.it also gives solutions and recommendations that can help come up with flexible
working conditions and room for employment leave for breastfeeding mothers as way of
prolonging the breastfeeding period for the employed mothers. (Tolbert ,p.13)Scotland health
agencies thereby took that initiative to formulate policies aimed at bettering the conflicting
demands of employment and motherhood. This acts eventually lead to positive health outcome
when a mother is breastfeeding her child. This is meant to better the young babies’ nutrition on
the public health policy agenda all over Europe where Scotland is also located.

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(Fewtrell ,p.102)After the formulation of these policies, the government with the help of the
world health organization recommends that infants should be breastfed for a minimum of 6
weeks.
Assessment
A critical evaluation of these policies indicates that both the government and world health
organization played a major role in the promotion of the infant nutrition. The governments
required that breastfeeding is allocated 6 weeks paid leave at 90% of the average weekly income
and a flat rate sum for the following 33weeks. (Win P.43) This additional requirement was very
important since in most cases, maternity leave is given before giving birth hence some of the
weeks will have been used.
Response
After the formulation of employment and breastfeeding policies which gave breastfeeding
duration estimates, women could now balance their jobs routines and responsibilities with the
infant nutrition concern. Maternity leave offered before giving birth and after giving birth had
some great impact on the breastfeeding duration, and more so for mother who was employed in
less flexible job meaning that they would otherwise have very little time to breastfeed their
young ones. However, this did not consider much of mothers who were unemployed. Therefore
its true according to this article, employment is related to motherhood and there is need for
maternal leave to extend breastfeeding duration.
Conclusion
According to the research indicated in (Skafida 5) articles, being employed has a negative effect
on a mother’s ability to breastfeed her child for the required duration longer periods. Children
who their mothers are unemployed tend to be healthier since they experience a longer
breastfeeding period. Self-employed mothers have a closely similar case of terminating the
breastfeeding duration earlier just like employed mothers. It’s very important that mothers are
allowed for 6 weeks maternity and still be paid a flat rate income to help them cater to the
nutritional needs of their breastfeeding and growing babies. (Steven 479–497)
Works Cited
Fewtrell, M S. "The long term benefits of having been breastfed." Current Paediatrics, (2004): p.97–103.
Skafida, Valeria. "Juggling Work and Motherhood: The Impact of Employment." Matern child health
(2011): pg 1-10.
Steven, H. " Welfare work requirements and child wellbeing:Evidence from the effects on breast-
feeding." Demography (2003): 479–497.
The scotish parliament. "Breastfeeding. (Scotland)." the scotish parliament (2005): 23.

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Tolbert, Kimbro R. "On-the-job moms: Work and breastfeeding initiation and duration for a sample of
low-income women." Maternal and Child Health Journal 10 (2006): P. 19–26.
Win, N N. "Breastfeeding duration in mothers who." International Breastfeeding 28 (2006): P.43.