August is known worldwide as the month dedicated to the fight to encourage breastfeeding, and the color gold is related to the “gold” standard of breast milk quality. This theme therefore serves to reflect on the importance of breastfeeding and, in particular, on the types of support mothers need in order to balance their personal and professional lives. This year’s slogan, “Support breastfeeding: make a difference for working mothers and fathers”, highlights the vital role of companies in creating an environment that favors breastfeeding, especially after mothers return to work.
How did the global initiative dedicated to breastfeeding come about?
The global history of the month dedicated to breastfeeding began in 1990 at a meeting between the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, where a document known as the “Innocenti Declaration” was created. In order to fulfill the commitments made by the countries after signing this document, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) was founded in 1991. In 1992, WABA created World Breastfeeding Week and, every year, it defines a theme to be explored and produces materials that are translated into 14 languages and launched in more than 120 countries with the aim of encouraging this practice worldwide.
Difficulties in the job market
Breastfeeding is essential for the health of both mother and baby, which is why the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life, followed by continued breastfeeding until at least two years of age. However, despite the proven benefits of breastfeeding, many mothers face significant challenges in maintaining breastfeeding when they return to work. Similarly to the EU directive for pregnant women, which covers the right to breastfeed, in Portugal a mother who demonstrably breastfeeds her child has the right to be excused each working day for two separate periods of up to one hour to fulfill this mission, for as long as breastfeeding lasts, without loss of pay or benefits.
However, maternity leave in Portugal lasts between 120 and 150 days (four to five months), which conflicts with the WHO recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for six months, making it difficult to maintain breastfeeding on demand when the mother is not with her baby 24 hours a day. In addition, the lack of a support network and the need to reconcile professional life with caring for the baby can make this process even more difficult.
So what is needed to create a favorable environment and improve breastfeeding practices?
Flexible working hours is a winning strategy
Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding are important strategies at an institutional and individual level. Initiatives such as the creation of flexible working hours and parental leave policies are essential to enable mothers to continue breastfeeding after returning to work.
In Brazil, a distinctive “Breastfeeding Friendly Company” seal was created in 2023, a positive measure of how companies can be encouraged to adopt practices that facilitate breastfeeding. The initiative aims to recognize and encourage actions that promote breastfeeding in the corporate environment, benefiting both mothers and babies.
How can WFM make a difference?
The growing use of workforce management (WFM) tools by companies in some market sectors means that specific solutions can be made available that promote flexible working hours.
Open shifts are an innovative alternative for mothers who do not have a fixed employment relationship. This type of solution allows mothers, and other workers, to choose working hours that suit their routine, by registering on a platform where vacancies are made available in certain sectors and at certain times and to which interested parties can apply, allowing, in the case of breastfeeding, the reconciliation of professional life and baby care.
“It’s often used by mothers who are at home but can work a few days a week. It happens a lot in retail. Many of the best salespeople are mothers who, due to circumstances, for example a second child, give up on being able to work fixed hours. But they have many days where they could go to work. And the employer needs them, but had no way of accommodating or absorbing them without this kind of technology,” explains Frederico Magalhães, President of SISQUAL® WFM in an exclusive interview with Jornal Económico.
World Breastfeeding Week reminds us of the importance of supporting working mothers, ensuring that they can balance professional and personal responsibilities. By investing in breastfeeding support policies, companies not only fulfill a social responsibility, but also strengthen the well-being of their employees, creating a healthier and more productive working environment.
Do you need tailor-made solutions that promote quality of life in your company?
SISQUAL® WFM is a solution that can be adjusted to different market sectors, enabling better workforce management, increased productivity and a better work-life balance.
