Catherine Wanderi: Struggles of breastfeeding as a working mom

For Catherine Wanderi, the past ten months have presented a new dynamic to her life as a new mom. 

After three months of maternity leave, Catherine had to go back to work. Her biggest concern at the time was how she would manage to exclusively breastfeed her baby for three more months as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Being a first time mom, even before she could start worrying of how she would balance work and caring for her young one her biggest worry was milk production. 

"I got support from nurses who gave me tips and their support made it easier for me. I would constantly call them to make sure I am doing everything right" she says. 

Catherine adds, “I live just a few meters from my work place and would always take at least four to five breaks from work and head home for a few hours just to breastfeed my child.”

She recalls that settling into a routine that would enable her to breastfeed her child was a challenge. 

"Keeping track of my baby's sleeping schedule to make sure I could return home on time was a challenge, especially since my three-month-old did not have a predictable routine. My boss was understanding and allowed me to take breaks from work to breastfeed, which I really appreciated" she says.

She however admits that it's not all roses and flowers and she notes that balancing work and breastfeeding has been a challenge. 

“There are times I have been forced to express milk and store it on days when I know I will have a long day at work. However, I recognise that this not a privilege every mother may have,” Catherine notes.

She continues, "There's definitely pressure and even guilt associated with trying to balance work and breastfeeding, but I've learned to take it one day at a time. I have also subscribed to some apps that provide breastfeeding tips and allows me to track my baby's development,"

She also acknowledges the help of her partner who has been of help especially in the period after she had given birth. 

"When I reported back to work, I had not yet found a nanny and so my partner chose to stay with the baby while I was at work" she says. 

She concludes by saying that she is excited about the government's efforts to support breastfeeding mothers, and she hopes to see the Breast Milk Substitution Act and its regulations implemented in Nakuru to benefit mothers.

"Despite the challenges, I am reminded that raising a generation is a blessing, and I believe we still have a long way to go in providing a conducive environment for breastfeeding mothers at the workplace" she says.