Mothers' needs and wishes for breastfeeding support in workplaces in Thailand: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: Returning to work is a barrier to breastfeeding. Although the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare (DLPW) in Thailand encourages employers to initiate a breastfeeding corner - a designated area where mothers can express their breastmilk privately and comfortably - in their workplace to support lactating employees, little is known about what kind of support mothers would like to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. This research aimed to explore mothers' needs and wishes for breastfeeding support in the workplace.

Methods: This qualitative study used focus group discussions to collect data from female employees who had a child aged 6 - 24 months in factories that had initiated a breastfeeding corner between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2022. The focus group discussions were held between June and July 2023. We employed semi-structured questions relating to breastfeeding support in their workplaces (e.g., a breastfeeding corner, lactation break, providing information or knowledge), baby food marketing in workplaces, and recommendations to improve breastfeeding support for working mothers. We applied thematic analysis to analyse the data.

Results: Nineteen mothers from five factories located in Bangkok and surrounding provinces participated in the study. All participating factories had a breastfeeding corner in a first aid room, and no lactation breaks were given. Therefore, lactating employees spent time during their breaks pumping breastmilk. Furthermore, the lactating employees did not acquire any information or education about breastfeeding from the workplace during pregnancy or after delivery but rather obtained this from health system services and digital platforms. They also received support from family, health professionals, and colleagues when they returned to work after giving birth. Lactating employees would like employers to provide specific lactation breaks. They also wanted credible information or knowledge about breastfeeding to be provided during pregnancy and after giving birth, together with other social support.

Conclusions: The Department of Labour Protection and Welfare, the Department of Health, and the Thai Breastfeeding Centre Foundation could collaborate with other relevant organisations to support employers in establishing breastfeeding support in their workplace.

Keywords: Breastfeeding corner; Labour welfare; Lactating employees; Thailand; Workplace.