Investigation of breastfeeding practices and influencing factors among
Chinese mothers in a lactation clinic: A cross-sectional study
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore and describe the breastfeeding
status and the breastfeeding problems of women visiting the lactation
clinic, and identify factors that influenced maternal breastfeeding
practices. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to 948
Chinese mothers. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate
the associations between risk factors and breastfeeding patterns at
different postpartum stages. Results: Among 948 Chinese mothers, 389
(41.0%) visited the lactation clinic for milk supply problems, 126
(13.3%) for nipple problems, 230 (24.3%) for breast problems, 85
(9.0%) for breastfeeding methods, 69 (7.3%) for counseling related to
breastfeeding knowledge, and 49 (5.1%) for infant problems.
Breastfeeding problems were distinct at different postpartum stages.
Within 4 weeks after delivery, participants who had no history of
disease were more prone to exclusive breastfeeding (OR = 8.041, 95% CI
[1.526, 42.376]) or partial breastfeeding (OR = 4.822, 95% CI
[1.157, 20.103]) compared to formula feeding. Moreover, between 4
weeks and 3 months postpartum, participants whose intended breastfeeding
time was shorter were more prone to formula feeding than to exclusive
breastfeeding (OR = 0.379, 95% CI [0.146, 0.980]) or partial
breastfeeding (OR = 0.369, 95% CI [0.139, 0.980]). Conclusion:
There is great need to combine a routine post-discharge lactation visit
with antenatal breastfeeding instruction so as to improve breastfeeding
initiation and prevent and solve breastfeeding problems better and more
efficiently.