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Research article
Christiane Horwood
University of Kwazulu-Natal
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4395-1423
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background
In South Africa almost 2 million women work informally. Informal work is characterised by poor job security, low earnings, and unsafe working conditions, with high rates of poverty and food insecurity. The peripartum period is a vulnerable time for many working women. This study explored how mothers navigate the tension between the need to work and needing to take care of a newborn baby, and how this affects their feeding plans and practices.
Methods
A mixed methods longitudinal cohort method was employed. Informal workers were recruited in the last trimester of pregnancy during an antenatal visit at two clinics in Durban, South Africa. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and quantitative questionnaires at three time points: pre-delivery, post-delivery and after returning to work. Framework analysis was used to analyse qualitative data in NVIVO v12.4. Quantitative analysis used SPSSv26.
Results
Twenty-four participants were enrolled and followed-up for a period of up to one year. Informal occupations included domestic work, home-based work, informal trading, and hairdressing, and most women earned < R3000 (US$175) per month. Participants had good knowledge of the importance of breastfeeding for child health. Most women planned to take time off work after the birth of their babies, supporting themselves during this time with the child support grant (CSG) received for older children, their savings, and support from the baby’s father and other family members. However, financial pressures forced many mothers to return to work earlier than planned, resulting in changes to infant feeding practices. Several mothers tried expressing breastmilk, but only one was able to sustain this while away from the baby. Most participants introduced formula, other foods and fluids to their babies when they returned to work or stopped breastfeeding entirely, but some were able to change their work or adapt their working hours to accommodate breastfeeding.
Conclusions
Interventions are needed within the social and work environment to support mothers with breastfeeding while they continue earning an income in the informal economy. The extension of the CSG to the antenatal period could assist mothers to stay at home longer post-delivery to breastfeed their babies.
Keywords
Breastfeeding, childcare, workplace, working women, maternal health, child health, South Africa, Africa
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CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
No community comments so far
Submission checks complete
On 17 Nov, 2020
Editorial decision: Accept
On 16 Nov, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 12 Nov, 2020
Editor assigned
On 14 Oct, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 13 Oct, 2020
Editor invited
On 13 Oct, 2020
Version 1
Posted 12 Aug, 2020
No comments provided
Review #1 received
Received 08 Oct, 2020
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 08 Oct, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 04 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 31 Aug, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 28 Aug, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 24 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 22 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 21 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 21 Jul, 2020
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Comments: 0
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HTML Views: ...
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A new preprint design is coming!
We have improved readability, clarity, accessibility, and opportunities for engagement.
See the published version of this preprint at BMC Public Health.
This is a preprint, a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research article
Christiane Horwood
University of Kwazulu-Natal
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4395-1423
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Published
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
No community comments so far
Submission checks complete
On 17 Nov, 2020
Editorial decision: Accept
On 16 Nov, 2020
No comments provided
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 12 Nov, 2020
Editor assigned
On 14 Oct, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 13 Oct, 2020
Editor invited
On 13 Oct, 2020
Version 1
Posted 12 Aug, 2020
No comments provided
Review #1 received
Received 08 Oct, 2020
Editorial decision: Minor revision
On 08 Oct, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 04 Sep, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 31 Aug, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 28 Aug, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 24 Aug, 2020
Editor assigned
On 22 Jul, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 21 Jul, 2020
Editor invited
On 21 Jul, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
View the published article at BMC Public Health.
Background
In South Africa almost 2 million women work informally. Informal work is characterised by poor job security, low earnings, and unsafe working conditions, with high rates of poverty and food insecurity. The peripartum period is a vulnerable time for many working women. This study explored how mothers navigate the tension between the need to work and needing to take care of a newborn baby, and how this affects their feeding plans and practices.
Methods
A mixed methods longitudinal cohort method was employed. Informal workers were recruited in the last trimester of pregnancy during an antenatal visit at two clinics in Durban, South Africa. Data were collected using in-depth interviews and quantitative questionnaires at three time points: pre-delivery, post-delivery and after returning to work. Framework analysis was used to analyse qualitative data in NVIVO v12.4. Quantitative analysis used SPSSv26.
Results
Twenty-four participants were enrolled and followed-up for a period of up to one year. Informal occupations included domestic work, home-based work, informal trading, and hairdressing, and most women earned < R3000 (US$175) per month. Participants had good knowledge of the importance of breastfeeding for child health. Most women planned to take time off work after the birth of their babies, supporting themselves during this time with the child support grant (CSG) received for older children, their savings, and support from the baby’s father and other family members. However, financial pressures forced many mothers to return to work earlier than planned, resulting in changes to infant feeding practices. Several mothers tried expressing breastmilk, but only one was able to sustain this while away from the baby. Most participants introduced formula, other foods and fluids to their babies when they returned to work or stopped breastfeeding entirely, but some were able to change their work or adapt their working hours to accommodate breastfeeding.
Conclusions
Interventions are needed within the social and work environment to support mothers with breastfeeding while they continue earning an income in the informal economy. The extension of the CSG to the antenatal period could assist mothers to stay at home longer post-delivery to breastfeed their babies.
Figure 1
This is a list of supplementary files associated with this preprint. Click to download.
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