Beyond the Pandemic: A Comparative Analysis of Work Location on Breastfeeding Relationships, Maternal Emotions, and Exclusive Breastfeeding

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a permanent shift toward working from home. While physical proximity traditionally facilitates breastfeeding, the impact of work locations on breastfeeding outcomes remains unknown. Objective: To compare the impact of 3 maternal work locations (staying at home, working from home, and working outside the home) on breastfeeding relationships, maternal emotions, and exclusive breastfeeding probability over 24 weeks. Methods: This prospective repeated-measures study followed 80 purposively sampled dyads at 4, 12, 20, and 24 weeks between June 2022 and August 2023. Primary outcomes, including breastfeeding relationships and maternal emotions, were analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models adjusted for parity and infant crying. Secondary outcomes regarding the probability of exclusive breastfeeding continuation were assessed using survival analysis. Results: Stay-at-home mothers reported the lowest breastfeeding relationship scores and exclusive breastfeeding probability (37%). Mothers working from home demonstrated emotional and relationship stability. Conversely, mothers working outside the home reported significantly higher negative emotions. Despite these emotional challenges, a reversal occurred by 24 weeks; exclusive breastfeeding continuation was highest for those working outside the home (70%), followed by those working from home (60%). Conclusion: Stay-at-home mothers exhibited the highest vulnerability to early exclusive breastfeeding discontinuation, while mothers working from home faced unique barriers to sustaining exclusive breastfeeding despite greater emotional resilience than those working outside the home. These findings suggest that in the post-pandemic “new normal,” the nature of institutional support and workplace boundaries, rather than physical location alone, are the critical factors influencing exclusive breastfeeding continuation through 24 weeks.