Breastfeeding in the workplace: Other employees' attitudes towards services for lactating mothers
2008

Breastfeeding in the Workplace: Employee Attitudes

Sample size: 407 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Suyes Kathryn, Abrahams Sheryl W, Labbok Miriam H

Primary Institution: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Hypothesis

In a corporate environment with comprehensive on-site services for lactating mothers, the majority of employees will exhibit positive attitudes towards breastfeeding/milk expression in the workplace.

Conclusion

The study found that lactation accommodations did not negatively affect other employees' attitudes towards breastfeeding.

Supporting Evidence

  • Employees who had worked with a breastfeeding co-worker had more positive attitudes towards breastfeeding.
  • Mean IBA scores were higher among those who had personal breastfeeding experience.
  • Overall, attitudes towards workplace breastfeeding were favorable among respondents.

Takeaway

This study shows that when companies support breastfeeding, most employees feel positively about it.

Methodology

Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to assess attitudes towards workplace breastfeeding among employees.

Potential Biases

Respondents were more likely to be female and may have had prior interest in breastfeeding, which could skew results.

Limitations

The low response rate raises questions of respondent bias, and the sample may not be generalizable to all industries.

Participant Demographics

72% of respondents were female, with a majority aged 41 and older.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI: 34.6, 35.6

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1746-4358-3-25

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