In Rwanda, balancing the demands of work and breastfeeding has become a pressing challenge for many new mothers, sparking calls for systemic support to address declining exclusive breastfeeding rates. Allen Mutamba, a Kigali-based administrator and mother of three, embodies this struggle. After returning to her job three months postpartum, she began supplementing her nine-month-old daughter’s diet with formula while relying on expressed breast milk. “I combine my lunch break with breastfeeding time to ensure my baby gets what she needs,” she explained, emphasizing hydration and a supportive home environment as key to maintaining her milk supply.
Mutamba’s experience reflects broader trends. Recent data from Rwanda’s 2020 Demographic and Health Survey reveals a concerning drop in exclusive breastfeeding rates among infants aged four to five months—from 80.8% in 2015 to 68.1%. Experts attribute this decline to stress, inadequate workplace accommodations, and gaps in familial or institutional support. Jean Yves Ntimugura, a nutrition advisor at Rwanda’s National Child Development Agency, stressed that while breastfeeding is a natural process, external pressures often disrupt it. “Emotional distress, poor nutrition, or unsupportive environments can hinder milk production,” he said. “Mothers need stability to succeed.”
Physiological and psychological factors further complicate the issue. Private Kamanzi, head of the Rwanda Nutritionists Society, highlighted the role of hormones like oxytocin and prolactin, which rely on a mother’s mental well-being and consistent suckling by the infant. “Breastfeeding isn’t just about nutrition—it’s a biological dialogue between mother and child,” he noted. Initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and allowing infants to fully drain one breast before switching are critical practices to stimulate milk supply, he added.
Workplace barriers remain a significant hurdle. Many mothers, particularly those in urban centers, face long commutes and inflexible schedules, making midday breastfeeding nearly impossible. Kamanzi urged employers to adopt lactation rooms, citing successful examples where such spaces improved outcomes. “A mother working in Kigali’s business district can’t travel home during breaks, but a dedicated room at her office makes a difference,” he said.
Cultural shifts also play a role. A growing number of women avoid breastfeeding due to fears of physical changes, such as breast sagging—a trend Kamanzi called “misguided,” emphasizing that breastfeeding helps maintain milk supply and infant health.
Both experts agreed that supporting breastfeeding requires collective action. From partners sharing childcare duties to employers offering flexible hours, systemic changes could reverse the decline. “This isn’t just a mother’s responsibility,” Ntimugura said. “It’s a societal commitment to the next generation.” As Rwanda grapples with these challenges, stories like Mutamba’s underscore the urgent need for policies that empower mothers to nurture their children without sacrificing their livelihoods.
