Table 3 Workplace breastfeeding challenges and adaptations from a semi-structured questionnaire and focus groups discussions
Structured questionnaire (n = 157) n (%) | n (%) | Focal groups discussion (n = 18) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Â | Â | Â | Key Themes: |
Breastfeeding challenges | Â | Â | Workplace challenges |
Difficulty in combining work and breastfeeding | 65 (41) | Difficulty in combining work and breastfeeding | |
No private space for breastfeeding | 53 (34) | No private space for breastfeeding | |
Emotional stress | 10 (6) | Â | |
Others | 9 (6) | Â | |
Inadequate breastfeeding breaks | 8 (5) | Inadequate breastfeeding breaks | |
No support from co-workers and management | 6 (4) | No support from co-workers and management | |
Inadequate work options | 6 (4) | Psychological challenges | |
| Â | Â | Emotional stress | |
| Â | Â | Â | Key Themes: |
| Â | Â | Â | Workplace adaptation strategies |
Coping strategies | Bring child to work with caretaker | 26 (26) | Bring child to work with caretaker |
Bring child to work without a caretaker | 24 (24) | Bring child to work without a caretaker | |
Leave child at home | 18 (18) | Leave child at home | |
Support from co-workers | 17 (17) | Support from co-workers | |
Breastfeed in the car / office | 7 (7) | Breastfeed in the car / office | |
Support from family members | 5 (5) | Add annual leave to maternity leave | |
Send baby to daycare | 3 (3) | Family and social support strategies | |
| Â | Â | Â | Support from family members |
| Â | Â | Â | Send baby to daycare |
| Â | Â | Â | Alternative feeding approaches |