Effect of a baby-friendly workplace support intervention on exclusive breastfeeding in Kenya
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Date
2021Author
Kimani-Murage, Elizabeth W.
Wilunda, Calistus
Jackson, Debra
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Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) during the first 6 months of life is crucial for optimizing
child growth, development and survival, as well as the mother's wellbeing. Mother's
employment may hinder optimal breastfeeding, especially in the first 6 months. We
assessed the effectiveness of a baby-friendly workplace support intervention on EBF
in Kenya. This pre-post intervention study was conducted between 2016 and 2018
on an agricultural farm in Kericho County. The intervention targeted pregnant/
breastfeeding women residing on the farm and consisted of workplace support policies and programme interventions including providing breastfeeding flexi-time and
breaks for breastfeeding mothers; day-care centres (crèches) for babies near the
workplace and lactation centres with facilities for breast milk expression and storage
at the crèches; creating awareness on available workplace support for breastfeeding
policies; and home-based nutritional counselling for pregnant and breastfeeding
women. EBF was measured through 24-h recall.