594 Breastfeeding in paediatric doctors: identifying breastfeeding rates and barriers to ongoing continuation of breastfeeding in paediatric trainees in the East of England Deanery. (17th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mechie, Hannah; Radford, Elizabeth; Kelsall, Wilf
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 107(2022)Supplement 2
• Page Start: A342
• Page End: A343
• Publication Date: 2022-08-17
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2022-rcpch.553
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: We surveyed Paediatric trainees in the East of England Deanery to identify the rates of breastfeeding within Paediatricians; the age at which trainees continue to breastfeed until, and to identify any barriers that trainees have in continuing to breastfeed when returning to work, with a view to addressing these issues and improve the support new mothers have in returning to work. Methods: Paediatric Trainees across the East of England were surveyed in March and April 2021. The online survey was sent to all trainees in the East of England Deanery via official (deanery-initiated) emails, and unofficially with announcements at regional training events, and links sent via social media. Completion of the survey was entirely voluntary, and all participants demonstrated consent by proceeding with the survey after the consent page on the survey. The survey comprised single best choice/multiple choice/free text question. All trainees were asked to respond irrespective of their gender and experience of breastfeeding. Results: Breastfeeding rates amongst Paediatric Trainees in the East of England far exceed that of the national average (97.6% initiated breastfeeding compared to the national average of 81%, with 50% breastfeeding past 12 months of age – compared to the national average of 0.5% at 12 months). 54.5% breastfeeding trainees are still breastfeeding on their return to work, and 22.3% trainees expressed on their return to work. Despite this, 29.5% all mothers surveyed stated that they stopped breastfeeding sooner than they wished as a direct result of returning to work ( figure 1 ). This figure rose to 39.3% for those mothers that continued to breastfeed until within two months of returning to work. For those mothers that express on return to work, infants receive breast milk to an average age of 18.4 months. This compares to an average age of 16.6 months for those mothers that breastfed but did not express at work. Despite this, 34.6% mothers that expressed at work stated that they stopped breastfeeding sooner than anticipated as a direct result of work and 60% women who intentionally gave up breastfeeding stated that they stopped sooner than they anticipated as a direct result of returning to work. The most cited work-related reasons for stopping breastfeeding were long, busy shifts and night shifts (48%); inadequate expressing facilities in the workplace (38%) and a lack of protected time to express (25%). Conclusion: The RCPCH has committed to actively promote and support breastfeeding in their facilities, events and organisation, and it is imperative that the staff members working as part of child healthcare, are also actively supported. Returning to work is a major factor in the early cessation for breastfeeding amongst Paediatric trainees, as is a perception that returning to work is not conducive to continuing to breastfeed. Better support for breastfeeding mothers, both in terms of provision of information prior to return, and changes to the workplace should be considered to help the RCPCH achieve its aim to actively support its staff in continuing to breastfeed their own children.