Dubai: Workplaces should have a dedicated space for breastfeeding mothers to be able to express their milk for their babies, expectant mothers said in a poll.

Research results released on December 7 revealed that 69 per cent of working mothers who are aware of their right to pump milk for their babies while at work don’t do so because of the lack of facilities at their workplaces.

The survey, which was conducted by YouGov for Philips Avent, had a sample size of 200 expectant mothers or mothers with kids aged zero to five. The mothers were aged between 25 and 35 and based in the UAE.

Respondents said workplaces often present a barrier to breastfeeding among new mums. Some 49 per cent of working mothers stated that they lack the support of their employers to express milk at the workplaces. Some 33 per cent said their workplaces don’t have facilities such as breastfeeding rooms while some 69 per cent said the facilities are not private enough.

Philips Avent has collaborated with the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group to help companies outfit breast pumping rooms in their offices through a one-stop-shop solution. They also encouraged companies to sign up to ‘Mommy’s Expressing Lounges’, to make it easier and more comfortable for mothers to express their milk in a private hygienic space in the workplace, helping mothers to breastfeed for longer.

The initiative takes into account both World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and UAE federal law, which respectively encourage and mandate mothers to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and continue to breastfeed until the child is two years.

“By launching the ‘Mommy’s Expressing Lounge’ initiative, we address challenges women face with breastfeeding, specifically fitting it in around work commitments,” said Vincenzo Ventricelli, vice-president, Personal Health, Philips Middle East and Turkey.

“We want to provide companies the support they need to create breastfeeding-friendly workplaces … Having a supportive working environment will help mothers in their work-life balance which will also improve productivity in the workplace,” added Ventricelli.

Muna Al Gurg, director, Retail, said their group acknowledges that employee health care must encompass both physical and psychological aspects.

“We are an inclusive organisation where employee welfare is paramount including that of new mothers. We have set up a dedicated area for nursing mothers to facilitate breastfeeding. As part of its CSR outreach, the group can now assist corporates wishing to replicate this initiative with suitable products.”

Corporate offices that want to have their own breastfeeding rooms may sign up for a partnership programme. Philips and Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group will offer support to companies wishing to install expressing spaces, in order to encourage widespread adoption of the initiative.