Experiences With Work-Family Conflict, Breastfeeding, and Perinatal Mental Health Among Women Returning to Work After Giving Birth

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to examine working mothers’ experiences with returning to work after giving birth, work-family conflict, breastfeeding, and mental health. Methods A sequential, mixed methods design was used to administer an online survey to capture job characteristics and perceptions of work-family conflict among first-time mothers in Georgia who gave birth within the previous year (N = 26). Then, interviews were conducted to understand their experiences with returning to work, work-family conflict, breastfeeding, and mental health. Results Many participants worked in educational settings and returned to full-time work after giving birth. Qualitative themes from 12 interviews captured the context of participants’ work environments, types of work-family conflict, and factors that alleviated work-family conflict. Conclusions Employers need to incorporate support for work-family conflict and perinatal mental health into workplace breastfeeding programs and maternity leave policies.