Using citizen science to engage the public in monitoring workplace breastfeeding support in Australia.
Samantha RowbothamLeah MarksSusan TawiaEmma WoolleyJanelle RooneyElissa KigginsDanielle HealeyKaren WardleVanessa CampbellNicole BridgesPenelope HawePublished in: Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals (2021)
While some employers have taken important steps towards supporting mothers to combine breastfeeding and work, there is room for improvement. Through this pilot study, we have demonstrated the feasibility and value of using a citizen science approach to obtain data from a range of workplaces along with perceptions of workplace characteristics that support or hinder breastfeeding and expressing at work. SO WHAT?: Citizen science is a useful approach to capturing data on workplace support for breastfeeding and could be scaled up to enable ongoing monitoring. The findings raise important issues around the interpretation and implementation of current legislation to support mothers in the workplace.