Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff
In China the exclusive breastfeeding rate remains low and infant formula is widely used. This study aimed to elicit and compare mothers’ and hospital staff perceptions of the reasons that shaped mothers’ decision to formula feed. In-depth interviews with 50 mothers, and four focus group discussions...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2015
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/32318 |
| _version_ | 1848753628877160448 |
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| author | Zhang, K. Tang, L. Wang, H. Qiu, L. Binns, Colin Lee, Andy |
| author_facet | Zhang, K. Tang, L. Wang, H. Qiu, L. Binns, Colin Lee, Andy |
| author_sort | Zhang, K. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | In China the exclusive breastfeeding rate remains low and infant formula is widely used. This study aimed to elicit and compare mothers’ and hospital staff perceptions of the reasons that shaped mothers’ decision to formula feed. In-depth interviews with 50 mothers, and four focus group discussions with 33 hospital staff, were conducted in Hangzhou and Shenzhen in November 2014. Responses given by the mothers and hospital staff showed a number of commonalities. The perception of "insufficient breast milk" was cited by the majority of women (n = 37, 74%) as the reason for formula feeding. Mothers’ confidence in breastfeeding appears to be further reduced by maternal mothers or mothers-in-law’s and ?confinement ladies misconceptions about infant feeding. Inadequate breastfeeding facilities and limited flexibility at their workplace was another common reason given for switching to formula feeding. A substantial proportion of mothers (n = 27, 54%) lacked an understanding of the health benefits of breastfeeding. Antenatal education on breastfeeding benefits for expectant mothers and their families is recommended. Moreover, mothers should be provided with breastfeeding support while in hospital and be encouraged to seek professional assistance to deal with breastfeeding problems after discharge. Employers should also make work environments more breastfeeding-friendly. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:27:33Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-32318 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T08:27:33Z |
| publishDate | 2015 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-323182017-09-13T15:23:55Z Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff Zhang, K. Tang, L. Wang, H. Qiu, L. Binns, Colin Lee, Andy In China the exclusive breastfeeding rate remains low and infant formula is widely used. This study aimed to elicit and compare mothers’ and hospital staff perceptions of the reasons that shaped mothers’ decision to formula feed. In-depth interviews with 50 mothers, and four focus group discussions with 33 hospital staff, were conducted in Hangzhou and Shenzhen in November 2014. Responses given by the mothers and hospital staff showed a number of commonalities. The perception of "insufficient breast milk" was cited by the majority of women (n = 37, 74%) as the reason for formula feeding. Mothers’ confidence in breastfeeding appears to be further reduced by maternal mothers or mothers-in-law’s and ?confinement ladies misconceptions about infant feeding. Inadequate breastfeeding facilities and limited flexibility at their workplace was another common reason given for switching to formula feeding. A substantial proportion of mothers (n = 27, 54%) lacked an understanding of the health benefits of breastfeeding. Antenatal education on breastfeeding benefits for expectant mothers and their families is recommended. Moreover, mothers should be provided with breastfeeding support while in hospital and be encouraged to seek professional assistance to deal with breastfeeding problems after discharge. Employers should also make work environments more breastfeeding-friendly. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/32318 10.3390/ijerph120504520 MDPI AG fulltext |
| spellingShingle | Zhang, K. Tang, L. Wang, H. Qiu, L. Binns, Colin Lee, Andy Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff |
| title | Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff |
| title_full | Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff |
| title_fullStr | Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff |
| title_full_unstemmed | Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff |
| title_short | Why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in China? Perceptions of mothers and hospital staff |
| title_sort | why do mothers of young infants choose to formula feed in china? perceptions of mothers and hospital staff |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/32318 |