Muslim mothers’ intersecting tensions in combining breastfeeding and employment: A systematic review and research agenda

Abstract

The intersection of gender, time and marginalization in organizations is evident in the challenges faced by employed mothers, particularly those who are breastfeeding. These challenges are amplified for Muslim mothers, who must navigate intersecting social identities within these structures shaped by dominant masculine norms. In Islam, breastfeeding is embedded in religious beliefs, moral values and spirituality, shaping how employed mothers experience and manage their dual commitments to work and family. This systematic review explores how Muslim mothers negotiate breastfeeding, motherhood and employment, responding to calls for context‐sensitive and intersectional studies that support diverse women's economic participation. Drawing on a transnational psychology lens, we synthesize findings around key challenges and empowerment strategies. We illustrate how cultural expectations of breastfeeding, maternal deference to elders and normative motherhood ideals intersect with religious influences—such as Quranic principles of modesty, gender segregation and traditional dress practices like hijab—to shape mothers’ access to employment, career progression and professional networking in male‐dominated spaces. These intersecting norms create temporal constraints that influence mothers’ daily routines. Given the paucity of research and theoretical underdevelopment in this area, we conclude with a research agenda to advance conceptual, theoretical and methodological developments of breastfeeding and employment in diverse contexts.