Barriers and facilitators for breastfeeding among working women in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature and describe the barriers and facilitators to the continuation of breastfeeding for at least 6 months by working women in the United States.


METHODS
A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, ISI, PsychInfo, and ProQuest.


METHODS
Twenty studies based on the inclusion criteria and published between January 1, 1995, and January 2006.


METHODS
An ecologic framework, which includes the individual (microsystem), social support and relationships (mesosystem), and the workplace environment (exosystem).


RESULTS
When working mothers possess certain personal characteristics and develop a strategic plan, breastfeeding is promoted. When social support is available and when support groups are utilized, lactation is also facilitated. Part-time work, lack of long mother-infant separations, supportive work environments and facilities, and child care options facilitate breastfeeding.


CONCLUSIONS
Health care providers can use the findings of this review to promote breastfeeding among working women by using tactics geared toward the mother, her social network, and the entire community.
Johnston
Marina L
ML
United States Air Force (USAF), Nurse Corps and a women's health nurse practitioner, at Women's Health Care Clinic, Cannon AFB, NM.. Electronic address: marina43402@earthlink.net.
Esposito
Noreen
N
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003256:Community Participation; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016272:Occupational Health; D016134:Organizational Policy; D016524:Parental Leave; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration; D012107:Research Design; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013597:Systems Analysis; D014481:United States; D014931:Women, Working / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology