Breast milk is known as the ideal food for infants.  It is nutritionally, 
immunologically, developmentally, psychologically, economically, and 
environmentally beneficial (Rinda, 2005).  Moms nowadays are working moms, 
and going back to work soon after having a baby is the common thing to do.  
Studies reveal that almost fifty percent of women return to work by the time 
their baby is three months old (Rinda, 2005).  Studies have also proven that 
mothers are aware of the benefits of breast milk and that a positive 
correlation exists between the length of breastfeeding and their babies’ health 
(Rinda, 2005).  Many reasons have been given as to why women stop 
breastfeeding their babies.  Not having enough milk, and nipple pain, cracks, or 
sores are other common reasons women stop breastfeeding.  Some women 
simple stated that they didn’t like breastfeeding or felt uncomfortable doing it 
(Gillespie, d’Arcy, Schwartz, Bobo, & Foxman, 2006).  Another common reason 
to quit breastfeeding is the fact that these women are returning to work and 
feel that they have to stop breastfeeding (Rinda, 2005).  
	The option of expressing woman’s milk allows a woman to go back to 
work and continue to breastfeed.  Studies reveal that mothers who express 
their milk in some way are less likely to stop breastfeeding before their infant 
reaches six months of age (Win, Binns, Zhao, Scott, & Oddy, 2006).  
	I believe that women today are very conscious that breastfeeding is 
beneficial.  Some women, however, remain unknowledgeable about basic 
breastfeeding facts and options to breastfeed if they have to go back to 
work.  How can we get this information to mothers and encourage them to 
breastfeed even if they go back to work?



References
Billespie, B., d’Arcy, H., Schwartz, K., Bobo, J., & Foxman, B. (2006).  Recall of 
age of 	weaning and other breastfeeding variables.  International 
breastfeeding journal, 1.  	Retrieved January 15, 2007, from 
	http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/1/1/4  
Rinda, J. (2005).  Knowledge, attitude and practice of employed mothers 
about breastfeeding.  	Nursing journal of India, 4.  Retrieved January 15, 
2007, from 
	http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4036/is_200504/ai_nl3638785 
Win, N., Binns, C., Zhao, Y., Scott, J., & Oddy, W. (2006).  Breastfeeding 
duration in mothers 	who express breast milk: a cohort study.  
International breastfeeding journal, 1.  	Retrieved January 15, 2007, 
from 	http://www.internationalbreastfeedingjournal.com/content/1/1/28 
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