Introduction
Despite the current legal regulation, breastfeeding at work remains a challenge for many working mothers. Issues include insufficient time, inadequate lactation spaces, and the lack thereof.
Legal Protection vs. Real-World Challenges
The Mexican Federal Labor Law (LFT) protects breastfeeding within workplaces, yet the regulation falls short of addressing the daily needs of working mothers. Challenges include commuting to work, insufficient lactation time, and poorly designed lactation spaces.
Alix Trimmer’s Perspective
Alix Trimmer, founder of LAIN, states that the daily work dynamic often prevents working mothers from fully utilizing their legal entitlement of two 30-minute lactation breaks per day.
“We have a legal framework quite detached from reality, which does not reflect the needs of a person who has just had a baby. It’s a law that leaves out the real enjoyment of their rights for many working people.”
Alix Trimmer, LAIN founder
LFT Article 170: Rights and Reality
Article 170 of the LFT grants nursing mothers two daily 30-minute breaks to breastfeed or express milk in a hygienic space provided by the employer. It also allows for reduced work hours.
However, Trimmer argues that even this regulation is not properly applied. Some workplaces delay employees’ usual start time by 30 minutes and advance their exit time by half an hour, undermining the purpose of lactation breaks.
Lactation Room Availability and Accessibility
While some workplaces have established lactation rooms due to LFT recognition, many are not fully equipped or located far from work areas.
Alejandra Orellana, Lactarum co-founder, explains that it takes around 20 minutes to express and store breastmilk. This becomes challenging if lactation areas are distant from workspaces.
“Often, lactation areas are located very far away. Just traveling to and from these areas takes about 10 minutes each way, leaving only 10 minutes in the lactation room. If a half-hour break were sufficient, it wouldn’t be if the room isn’t nearby and employees must search for a suitable space, which takes time.”
Alejandra Orellana, Lactarum co-founder
Benefits of Lactation Rooms for Employers and Employees
Fátima Masse, Noubi Advisors co-founder, highlights that facilitating breastfeeding in the workplace reduces barriers for women to remain in the labor market.
“It’s not just about breastfeeding; proper milk handling is crucial. Milk needs refrigeration for a certain period, and maintaining it appropriately becomes difficult due to distances or commuting challenges between work and home. This emphasizes the importance of well-established lactation rooms.”
Fátima Masse, Noubi Advisors co-founder
Government Stance and Benefits
The Mexican federal government supports lactation rooms, as they create health-protective and equitable work environments by providing hygienic spaces for mothers to continue breastfeeding while balancing work activities.
- Setting up a lactation room does not impose a high cost on organizations, as it may adapt an existing space rather than requiring a new one.
- Benefits for companies include decreased absenteeism, guaranteed return to work post-maternity leave, increased employee commitment and sense of belonging, improved organizational image, positioning as a reference in the industry, cost savings in health attention, and increased productivity.
Progress and Remaining Challenges
Experts acknowledge progress in workplace breastfeeding, but challenges and opportunities must be considered for mothers to balance breastfeeding and work activities.
“I see changes, especially in large companies. However, Mexico’s economy relies heavily on micro, small, and medium enterprises. Establishing a lactation room is not free or simple; thus, it’s unlikely that all these businesses will allocate budget for such spaces.”
Alix Trimmer, LAIN founder
Positive Aspects and Ongoing Challenges
Despite positive aspects like increased awareness and lactation room requirements through regulation, some organizations still don’t prioritize investing in these spaces or have vast workspaces with distant lactation areas.
However, companies that have installed dignified lactation rooms improve work conditions and address their employees’ needs.
“Some organizations develop comprehensive packages of measures, which ultimately benefit families and employees in general.”
Fátima Masse, Noubi Advisors co-founder
Challenges for Companies to Address
Alejandra Orellana identifies several challenges for companies, including the perception that breastfeeding is a mother’s specific need and responsibility.
“Society must recognize that a successful breastfeeding journey requires a support network beyond family and partners. Companies and work environments must actively support nursing mothers.”
Alejandra Orellana, Lactarum co-founder
Fátima Masse adds that another challenge is the lack of knowledge on where and how to implement lactation spaces.
“Companies grapple with what to do and how to avoid idle spaces.”
Fátima Masse, Noubi Advisors co-founder
UNICEF recommends that company leaders develop and implement policies to prevent discrimination against pregnant women and nursing moles, particularly during lactation periods. They should also manage the implementation of functional lactation rooms with essential supplies.
