Employers have a responsibility to support breastfeeding success, especially for mothers returning to work while still nursing.
Returning to work after childbirth is often a difficult transition, especially for mothers who are breastfeeding. The demands of the job do not pause for the needs of a growing baby, yet with the right support, women don’t have to choose between the two. Creating space for breastfeeding at work isn’t just about facilities; it’s about dignity, flexibility, and care.
Employers have a responsibility in enabling breastfeeding success, especially for mothers returning to work while still nursing. For many mothers, expressing milk during the workday is a necessity. When employers provide clean, private lactation rooms, paid breaks, and understanding, they ease what can otherwise be a stressful and isolating experience.
In Kenya, just 60 per cent of babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months, according to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. That’s only 3 in 5 infants getting the full nutritional and immune benefits of breastmilk in those critical early months. The Ministry of Health aims to increase this to 80 per cent by 2030, a goal that requires enabling environments everywhere — including the workplace.
The benefits ripple outward. Breastfeeding contributes to better health outcomes for babies and mothers, reduces healthcare costs, and helps families thrive. Supporting it at work reinforces a company’s values of equity, inclusion, and care, not just in words but in action.
At Willow Health Media, we believe that small accommodations can lead to big impact. That’s why we’ve made intentional choices to support breastfeeding, with a private lactation room, supportive policies, and a culture of empathy.
Work and breastfeeding can co-exist — but only when workplaces rise to meet mothers where they are. It doesn’t take much. A room. A break. A little understanding. The impact, however, can last a lifetime.
