Project Expressing: A Qualitative, Quantitative, and Thermometry Study of the Hygiene Challenges Associated with Expressing Breastmilk in the Workplace

Introduction: The benefits of breastfeeding are well-established, prompting many women to express breastmilk upon returning to work, thereby enabling infants to continue receiving breastmilk. However, along with this choice comes the added responsibility of maintaining hygiene for the equipment used and ensuring the safe storage of expressed breastmilk. The hygienic experiences of mothers expressing breastmilk in the workplace are relatively unexplored.
Purpose: One of the aims of "Project Expressing" was to explore the hygiene challenges associated with expressing breastmilk in the workplace.

Methods: The research involved three distinct phases: in-depth interviews (n=16) and online questionnaires (n=164) exploring the experiences of expressing in the workplace, followed by a thermometry study evaluating communal workplace refrigerators (n=25).

Results: Interviews revealed mothers expressed breastmilk at work to provide the "best for baby" for as long as possible, with 64% of questionnaire-respondents expressing to facilitate their return to work. Privacy and comfort were identified as crucial during interviews, but many mothers shared instances where suitable spaces for expressing and storing breastmilk were lacking. Nearly half of the questionnaire-respondents (48%) reported a lack of private space as a challenge for expressing. Concerns about the temperature of workplace refrigerators were expressed in interviews, and 35% of questionnaire respondents cited a lack of suitable workplace facilities for storing breastmilk as a challenge. Consequently, 30% reported not using workplace refrigerators, opting instead for cool bags/boxes with ice packs. The thermometry study identified widespread unsafe temperatures in communal workplace refrigerators, with mean temperatures exceeding the recommended 5.0°C in 86% of door storage areas and 77% of central storage areas. Furthermore, 96% of refrigerators lacked thermometers to monitor temperatures.

Significance: Sustaining breastfeeding by expressing in the workplace requires the mother’s time and commitment, as well as a supportive workplace environment. This support includes a private space for expression and a safe environment to ensure hygienic expression and secure storage of breastmilk in the workplace.