Breastfeeding can be a lonely experience for mothers who lack social, emotional, institutional, and informational support. While many successfully initiate lactation, others discontinue due to insufficient guidance, the physical demands of breastfeeding, and the challenges of pumping—especially for working mothers.

To help overcome this barrier and promote a more inclusive academic and professional environment, LAU introduced a breastfeeding support room on February 18, 2025, at its Beirut campus.

Spearheaded by the Arab Institute for Women (AiW) in collaboration with LAU health disciplines, the inauguration of the room followed two panel discussions earlier that day, moderated by Associate Professor and Assistant Provost for Educational Resources and Innovation Jordan Srour and Dr. Bahia Abdallah, assistant professor and nursing program director at LAU’s Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing, and member of the MOPH Technical Advisory Group and the Infant and Young Child Committee (IYCF) in Lebanon.

Titled Unlocking the Path to Successful Lactation and Breastfeeding Through an Interprofessional Approach, the event explored lactation as a multidisciplinary phenomenon, the challenges faced by nursing mothers, and national policy advocacy updates, while highlighting the broader public health implications of breastfeeding and its alignment with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Experts from LAU’s health disciplines provided professional advice on breastfeeding from the perspectives of psychology, nursing, nutrition, pharmacotherapy, and medicine. They highlighted the impact of interprofessional education and collaboration in integrating breastfeeding education into academia and improving breastfeeding outcomes.

The discussions also featured professional women from diverse backgrounds who candidly shared their experiences with breastfeeding as working mothers and their efforts to promote it in their careers. 

“LAU has long been a strong advocate for women’s rights and education,” said LAU President Chaouki T. Abdallah in his opening remark. “As a pioneer in creating a baby-friendly institution, it works for the benefit of mothers, families, and, ultimately, society at large—supporting both national and global health.”

Kicking off the discussions, Dr. Abdallah stressed that a mother’s ability to breastfeed successfully depends on two key factors: knowledge and ability, as well as the support she receives.

“Mothers need accurate information about the benefits of breastfeeding,” she explained, “but they must also be able to navigate postpartum challenges, family and societal expectations, and workplace restrictions.”  Breastfeeding is a fundamental human right, she stressed, a time-sensitive and golden opportunity, especially during the first two years of a child’s life.

She added that “LAU pioneered Lebanon’s first family leave policy, becoming the only academic institution in the country to extend maternity leave to 15 weeks, and to introduce a 10-day paternity leave in addition to flexible working hours and credit release.”

Associate Professor of Physiology at LAU’s Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine Aniella Abi-Gerges and Assistant Professor of Nutrition at the School of Arts and Sciences Jana Jabbour underscored the importance of a father’s involvement at every stage for support and baby-bonding. For Dr. Jabbour, breastfeeding support was instrumental in her experience.

Clinical Associate Professor Lamis Karaoui from the LAU School of Pharmacy provided an added perspective. Noting that not all medications are contraindicated during lactation, she emphasized the role of pharmacists in supporting breastfeeding mothers.

Among the panelists was Lebanese actress Nada Bou Farhat, who shared with the attendees the guilt she felt as a first-time breastfeeding mother, unsure if she was holding her baby correctly or where to position him. “Luckily, I had Bahia as my neighbor, who supported me and reassured me that I was doing great,” she said.

Adequate support alleviates women’s stress, which in turn benefits their child’s emotional health, remarked Dr. Pia Tohme, associate professor of clinical psychology and chairperson of the Department of Psychology and Education, during the panel discussion. “Breastfeeding not only nurtures the child physically but also contributes to their long-term mental wellbeing,” she added.

Panelist Joelle Najjar, nutrition and child development national officer at UNICEF, took the opportunity to outline the milestones achieved by the IYCF, including the launch of the baby-friendly hospitals initiative. She also discussed the establishment of a national hotline to support breastfeeding mothers and the committee’s goal to enhance support for breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.

“We are working on an accreditation or certification system for institutions to encourage this support,” said Pamela Zgheib, head of the Mother and Child and School Health Unit at the Ministry of Public Health. “As a first step, the initiative will be piloted at LAU’s lactation room, serving as a model for other institutions to follow.”

Panelist Farah Asfahani, a health specialist at the World Bank, pointed out that while breastfeeding is natural, it does not always come easily. She shared her struggles stressing the need to implement workplace support universally.

Senior writer and editor Rana Najjar shared the challenges she faced as a first-time breastfeeding mother, including battling misconceptions such as the belief that breast milk is ineffective beyond three months. “What kept me going, despite the physical pain, was the unwavering support and encouragement from my breast consultant friend,” she said.

“By introducing breastfeeding as part of preservice training for future healthcare providers, an interprofessional approach will strengthen in-service advocacy, ensuring that professionals across various fields actively promote breastfeeding throughout their careers,” said Dr. Abdallah.

The breastfeeding room is now open at Nicol Hall, Room 213, Beirut campus.