The transition back to work following maternity leave can be difficult owing to the fact that you leave your infant behind for long hours.

In addition to that, many breastfeeding mothers find it difficult to find suitable private spaces to express milk during their workday.

Bree* a new mother who recently returned to her job, faced this struggle.

She says that sometimes she used to come to work late as she had to express milk for her four-month-old baby, which landed her in big trouble with her supervisor.

Bree* says she approached her supervisor about finding a private space to pump breast milk or flexible working hours to at least solve the late-coming problem, and was shocked by the response.

"Just use the toilet," her *male* supervisor suggested, oblivious to the unhygienic and undignified nature of this solution, she tells Mtaa Wangu.

Her situation is not an isolated case as this has been the situation in many working areas.

At the very least, by law, lactating mothers should have lactating stations at their places of work or be allowed breaks to go home and breastfeed, but this does not and will always not work for all and be the case.

Due to such circumstances, many of them end up introducing milk formula and solid foods early on to their babies which according to Christine Kihara, the County Nutrition Coordinator, has implications.

Christine Kihara, the County Nutrition Coordinator during the launch of the lactation room at PGH on August 14, 2024.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

According to the expert, breastmilk is essential to infants as it contains nutrients that protect them against diseases, is freely available, clean and always at the right temperature.

“An infant’s immunity is bound to go down if they do not exclusively breastfeed for six months. This is because a mother’s milk has the necessary nutrients needed for growth and boost their immunity," she notes.

Ms. Kihara was speaking during the launch of the lactation room at the Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital (PGH) on Tuesday.

The colourful room aimed at helping staff in the facility is partitioned in five sections using curtains to provide privacy.

The room is also fitted with a washing area, sterilization area, reading/ learning area, a fridge for cooling and storage, and a television set for entertainment.

“Working breast feeding mothers every so often are faced with the challenge of reduced milk production due to stress and even going for long hours without breastfeeding or expressing milk which leads to them getting infections," explains Ms. Kihara.

With the lactation room, such problems are meant to be avoided and ensure healthy mothers and children says the nutritionist.

PGH Medical Superintendent James Waweru during an interview on August 13, 2024.

Photo credit: LELETI JASSOR/MTAA WANGU

On his part, Dr. James Waweru, PGH's Medical Superintendent, notes that the room has been launched at such a perfect time to help the facility reduce disruptions at work and most importantly, the emotional and physical baggage associated with the abrupt return to work.

How lack of lactation rooms at the workplace affects baby's growth

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Leleti Jassor