Abstract
The purpose of this work was to gain insight into teachers’ lived experiences with breastfeeding in the workplace as well as the factors that contribute to the continuation or dismissal of this practice. Additionally, this study was conducted to investigate the current supports or lack of supports that Yolo and Sacramento County, elementary school teachers have when choosing to breastfeed and work. The researcher asked participants to share information through the use of a Likert-type questionnaire and an open-ended interview. The methods allowed participants to share their testimonial narratives related specifically to their experiences of breastfeeding as elementary school educators and the supports or lack of supports they have encountered. The research questions addressed in the study were: What supports or lack of supports exist for women who are elementary school educators and have decided to breastfeed while working? What are the factors that allow them to continue breastfeeding in the workplace or the stressors that make them quit, if applicable? What can be done to further support elementary school educators who want to breastfeed while working? How do the job demands that come with teaching impact one’s decision to breastfeed? In conclusion, teachers are still experiencing a lack of physical space where they can feel comfortable breastfeeding and that is not a restroom. Often times, educators do not feel supported by their districts and their administrators and for this reason, decide to stop breastfeeding. In addition, quite often society still has a negative perception of breastfeeding. This negative perception can impact educators in their decision to uphold the practice. This is problematic because research shows that educators who feel supported in their decision to breastfeed are more likely to do so, versus those who do not feel supported.