‘People thought I was taking extra breaks’: The hidden pressures breastfeeding mothers face at work

A survey found that close to nine in 10 mothers who had breastfed within the past five years encountered at least one practical work-related barrier. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN

SINGAPORE – When finance professional Amanda (not her real name) returned to work four months after giving birth to her first child in 2022, facilities were in place to help her continue breastfeeding.

She had access to a dedicated mothers’ room with private cubicles, hot water, sinks and refrigerators for storing breast milk.

But she soon realised that workplace culture was the biggest obstacle. Her boss expressed concern about her visibility in the office, and male colleagues joked about how it must be nice to take breaks in the middle of the workday.

“There were leaders who were more willing to start a meeting late because a colleague was just coming back from their smoke break, but wouldn’t be as understanding about a mother who needed to express milk.”

Amanda gave birth to her second child in March, and is due to return to work soon. Reflecting on her past experience, she has decided to stop breastfeeding once she starts working.

“When the workplace has these micro-aggressions and they are ignored by management and human resources, that’s when I don’t feel that it’s a safe space to keep pumping,” she said.

Amanda’s experience is far from unique.

A survey commissioned by social enterprise Go!Mama found that close to nine in 10 mothers who had breastfed within the past five years encountered at least one practical work-related barrier, including insufficient time to express milk, difficulty balancing breastfeeding and work commitments or the lack of suitable spaces.

About two-thirds said returning to work changed how they breastfed. This included shortening pumping sessions, switching feeding methods or stopping earlier than they had intended.

The poll of 202 mothers is part of a larger nationally representative survey that is expected to be released later in 2026.

The interim findings were presented on Aug 4 at the inaugural Global Women’s Health Equity Summit by Go!Mama at the Asian Civilisations Museum. The summit, which also marked Go!Mama’s fifth anniversary, featured panel discussions on women, breastfeeding and parenthood.

In response to queries, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital told The Straits Times that the proportion of mothers initiating breastfeeding and exclusively breastfeeding upon discharge has remained similar in recent years. In both 2021 and 2026, about 86 per cent of mothers reported exclusively breastfeeding upon discharge.

Singapore General Hospital said its breastfeeding rates upon discharge have held steady at about 90 per cent.

The World Health Organization recommends that infants be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life for optimal growth and development, and that breastfeeding continue up to two years of age and beyond, alongside appropriate complementary foods.

Breastfeeding advocates say the challenge now is helping mothers sustain breastfeeding after their maternity leave.

The Breastfeeding Mothers’ Support Group said the questions it receives centre on how mothers can fit expressing milk into the workday.

Many struggle to find time to do so between meetings, coordinate pumping schedules, store expressed milk safely or secure suitable private spaces, particularly when travelling for work or attending events outside the office.

Some mothers have adopted wearable breast pumps so they can express milk while working, while others negotiate hybrid work arrangements or delay returning to work. Others resort to expressing milk in toilets, storerooms or cars when no suitable space is available.

The group said inconsistent pumping schedules can reduce milk supply over time, forcing some mothers to supplement with formula milk earlier than they had planned.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.