Postgraduate medicine
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Postgraduate medicine · Jan 2021
Experiences of breastfeeding among women residents in Alberta: a cross-sectional survey.
Breastfeeding at work is recommended by pediatric society guidelines and is protected by employment and human rights law in many countries. Despite this, previous studies have found that residents report important structural barriers to breastfeeding at work. ⋯ Women residents face barriers to breastfeeding at work which require systems-level intervention. Residents from surgical programs may be the most vulnerable to these barriers. Program directors, residency wellness committees, and hospital administrators should prioritize addressing these barriers for women residents returning to work after maternity leave. Examples of interventions that may address these barriers include policies, designation of lactation spaces, and flexible return-to-work schedules.