Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding among Student and Working Mothers: Barriers, Enablers, and Support Systems

Optimal infant feeding depends not only on maternal knowledge and motivation, but also on the educational, occupational, family, healthcare, and policy environments in which mothers live. For student and working mothers, breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices are often shaped by competing demands, time constraints, financial pressures, inflexible schedules, limited lactation facilities, inadequate childcare support, and inconsistent access to counseling and community-based assistance. These challenges can be especially pronounced during key transition periods, including return to work or study and the introduction of complementary foods.This Research Topic aims to examine the public health challenges, opportunities, and support systems influencing breastfeeding and complementary feeding among student and working mothers across diverse social, institutional, and cultural settings. We welcome multidisciplinary contributions that explore how universities, workplaces, health systems, and communities can better support mothers in achieving recommended infant and young child feeding practices, while also addressing inequities affecting younger mothers, low-income families, informal workers, migrant populations, and other underserved groups. Submissions are welcome on themes including, but not limited to:- Barriers to breastfeeding initiation, exclusivity, continuation, and duration among student and working mothers.- The effect of returning to work or study on breastfeeding practices and infant feeding decisions.- Workplace and university policies related to maternity protection, parental leave, lactation breaks, childcare access, and breastfeeding-friendly spaces.- Timing, quality, adequacy, and cultural dimensions of complementary feeding in the context of maternal employment or study.- The role of peer support, family networks, employers, faculty, healthcare providers, and community organizations in supporting infant feeding.- Digital health, tele-lactation, mobile interventions, and other innovative support strategies.- Socioeconomic, gender, occupational, and educational inequities influencing feeding practices.- Experiences of adolescent mothers, single mothers, shift workers, informal workers, and mothers in precarious employment or academic settings.- Implementation research and evaluation of interventions designed to improve breastfeeding and complementary feeding outcomes.- Qualitative, mixed-methods, policy, and comparative studies that inform equitable public health action.This Research Topic welcomes submissions including original research, systematic or scoping reviews, policy and practice reviews, intervention studies, implementation research, and perspectives that advance evidence-based strategies to support student and working mothers and improve maternal and child nutrition outcomes. Topic editors: Adwoa Amoah, FREDA INTIFUL, Prince Owusu ADOMA Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80978/breastfeeding-and-complementary-feeding-among-student-and-working-mothers-barriers-enablers-and-support-systems