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  3. Rights and Workplace Basics for Breastfeeding Mothers
Course Content
Why Breastfeeding Matters (10 minutes)
Health and developmental benefits for infants Maternal benefits (physical and mental) Economic and community-level advantages Common myths and culturally specific misconceptions
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Health & Developmental Benefits for Infants from Breastfeeding
Maternal Benefits of Breastfeeding (Physical and Mental)
Economic and Community-Level Advantages of Breastfeeding
Common Myths and Culturally Specific Misconceptions about Breastfeeding
Newborn Feeding Cues & Anatomy (20 minutes)
Early vs. late hunger cues and what they mean Normal newborn feeding patterns and stomach capacity Brief breast anatomy (lobes, ducts, nipple, areola) in plain language Signs of effective feeding (swallowing, contentment, diaper output)
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Early vs. Late Hunger Cues in Infants
Normal Newborn Feeding Patterns and Stomach Capacity
Breast Anatomy (in Plain Language)
Signs of Effective Feeding in Breastfed Babies
Positions & Achieving a Good Latch (40 minutes)
Position options: cradle, cross-cradle, football/clutch, side-lying Stepwise approach to help baby latch (prepare — attach — assess) Signs of a good vs. poor latch (comfort, nipple shape, audible swallowing) Small-person adaptations (premature, small mouth, tongue-tie considerations) Safe positioning for mothers with C-section recovery
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Position Options for Breastfeeding
Stepwise Approach to Help Baby Latch
Signs of a Good vs. Poor Latch
Small-Person Adaptations in Breastfeeding
Safe Positioning for Mothers with C-Section Recovery
Protecting & Building Milk Supply (25 minutes)
Establishing supply in the first days and weeks (frequency, skin-to-skin) Night feeds and cluster feeding explained Lifestyle and medical factors that reduce supply (e.g., certain medications, stress) Relactation and increasing milk supply safely Nutrition and hydration myths vs. evidence
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Establishing Milk Supply in the First Days and Weeks
Night Feeds and Cluster Feeding
Lifestyle and Medical Factors That Reduce Supply
Relactation and Increasing Milk Supply Safely
Nutrition and Hydration Myths vs. Evidence in Breastfeeding
Expressing & Storing Breastmilk (20 minutes)
Hand-expression steps and common mistakes Choosing and using pumps (manual vs. electric) — practical tips Safe collection, labeling, storage, thawing and warming guidelines (low-resource options included) Cleaning and hygiene for bottles and storage containers Feeding expressed milk to infant (cup, spoon, paladai, bottle considerations)
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Hand-Expression Steps and Common Mistakes
Choosing and Using Breast Pumps (Manual vs. Electric)
Safe Breast Milk Handling
Cleaning and Hygiene for Bottles and Storage Containers
Feeding Expressed Milk to Infants
Common Problems & Practical Solutions (25 minutes)
Causes of sore nipples and immediate relief techniques Managing engorgement and preventing blocked ducts Recognising mastitis vs. normal engorgement and when antibiotics may be needed Low weight gain: assessment steps and feeding plan adjustments Non-judgmental approach to supplementation and safe short-term options
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Causes of Sore Nipples and Immediate Relief
Managing Engorgement and Preventing Blocked Ducts
Recognising Mastitis vs. Normal Engorgement
Low Weight Gain — Assessment and Feeding Plan Adjustments
Non-Judgmental Approach to Supplementation
Returning to Work or School; Feeding Outside the Home (15 minutes)
Creating an express-and-feed routine (timing, containers, transport) Practical storage and transport tips for different commute types Rights and workplace basics (general guidance; encourage local legal verification) Communicating with caregivers and preparing safe feeder notes Emotional coping and practical fallback plans
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Creating an Express-and-Feed Routine
Practical Storage & Transport Tips for Expressed Breast Milk by Commute Type
Rights and Workplace Basics for Breastfeeding Mothers
Communicating with Caregivers and Preparing Safe Feeder Notes
Emotional Coping and Practical Fallback Plans
Special Situations (20 minutes)
Feeding preterm or low-birthweight infants: kangaroo care, cup or tube feeding basics Managing twins/multiples: tandem feeding tips and time-saving routines Mothers on medication or with infectious illness: how to check drug safety and local guidelines (HIV, TB, etc.) Using donor milk or milk banks (where available) — safety basics
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Feeding Preterm or Low-Birthweight Infants
Managing Twins/Multiples — Tandem Feeding Tips and Time-Saving Routines
Mothers on Medication or with Infectious Illness — Drug Safety & Guidelines
Using Donor Milk or Milk Banks — Safety Basics
When to Seek Help & Building a Support Network (15 minutes)
Red flags for baby and mother (e.g., poor weight gain, fever, severe pain) Where to seek help: clinic, CHW, lactation consultant, emergency care Building a support network: partners, family, peer counsellors, community groups Using telephone/text supports, community groups, and referral pathways
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Red Flags for Baby and Mother
Where to Seek Help for Breastfeeding Challenges
Building a Support Network for Breastfeeding Mothers
Using Telephone/Text Supports, Community Groups, and Referral Pathways
Wrap-up, Resources & Final Assessment (15 minutes)
Key takeaways and common pitfalls to avoid Next steps: seeking local support, advanced training options How to use course materials beyond the course (groups, sharing, peer support) Final 20-question multiple-choice quiz (80% pass mark)
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Key Takeaways and Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Next Steps — Seeking Local Support & Advanced Training Options
How to Use Course Materials Beyond the Course
Final 20-question multiple-choice quiz (80% pass mark)
How to Breastfeed — Self-Paced, Evidence-Based Course for African Moms

1. Introduction

Returning to work or school is one of the most common reasons mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than planned. Knowing your rights, workplace basics, and how to advocate for yourself helps protect both your health and your baby’s.

⚠️ Important: Laws vary by country. Always verify with local labor authorities, ministries of health, or worker unions for the most accurate legal protections.

2. General Rights (Common Across Many Countries)

  • Maternity Leave

    • Most African and global labor laws provide at least 12–14 weeks of paid maternity leave. Some extend up to 6 months.

    • In many places, leave can be extended with medical certification.

  • Breastfeeding or Pumping Breaks

    • Many national laws require employers to allow paid or unpaid breaks during work hours for expressing milk or breastfeeding.

    • International Labor Organization (ILO) recommends at least one hour per day for nursing breaks.

  • Workplace Facilities

    • Safe, private, and clean space (not a bathroom) for expressing milk.

    • Access to handwashing facilities and refrigeration if possible.

  • Non-Discrimination

    • Mothers cannot be fired, demoted, or discriminated against for pregnancy or breastfeeding.

    • Employers must respect maternity-related rights without penalty.

3. Practical Workplace Basics

  • Before Returning to Work:

    • Talk with your supervisor or HR about lactation breaks and private space.

    • Plan your pumping schedule around your work hours.

    • Practice expressing and storing milk at home before resuming work.

  • At the Workplace:

    • Use breaks consistently (every 3–4 hours).

    • Label milk clearly and store safely (cooler bag if no fridge available).

    • Use hands-free pumps if multitasking is necessary.

  • Advocacy:

    • If your workplace lacks facilities, propose low-cost solutions (e.g., curtain in an office, small fridge, shared cooler).

    • Form or join peer-support groups with other mothers.

4. Encouragement for Mothers

  • Remember: Breastfeeding is protected by international rights frameworks.

  • You are not asking for favors — you are exercising your rights and protecting your baby’s health.

  • Stay informed and seek local guidance if you face challenges.

End of Lecture Quiz

Q1. According to ILO recommendations, how much time per workday should be provided for breastfeeding breaks?
A. 10 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 1 hour
D. 3 hours

Answer: C. 1 hour
Rationale: ILO standard is at least one hour of nursing breaks per workday.

Q2. Which of the following is NOT acceptable as a workplace lactation facility?
A. A private office or screened area
B. A bathroom
C. A room with a lockable door
D. A clean area with handwashing nearby

Answer: B. A bathroom
Rationale: Bathrooms are not hygienic for milk expression or handling.

Q3. True or False: Employers can legally fire a woman for requesting breastfeeding breaks.
Answer: False
Rationale: Most labor laws protect against discrimination related to maternity and breastfeeding.

Curated Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Maternity protection is a legal right, not a privilege.

  • ILO recommends 1 hour/day of nursing breaks.

  • Workplaces must provide clean, private, non-bathroom spaces.

  • Local laws differ — always confirm through official labor offices.

  • Advocacy and peer support strengthen breastfeeding-friendly workplaces.

Call to Action

  • Mothers: Know your rights and plan for a smooth return to work.

  • Employers: Support lactating mothers — healthier staff means better productivity.

  • Communities: Push for stronger enforcement of maternity protections in your country.

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Ushauri Mama - Your MNCH Guide