Zhang Ke, Tang Li, Wang Hong, Qiu Liqian, Binns Colin W, Lee Andy H
Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, China.
Department of Management Sciences, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2015 Apr 24;12(5):4520-32. doi: 10.3390/ijerph120504520.
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.
在中国，纯母乳喂养率仍然很低，婴儿配方奶粉被广泛使用。本研究旨在了解并比较母亲和医院工作人员对影响母亲选择配方奶喂养原因的看法。2014年11月，在杭州和深圳对50名母亲进行了深入访谈，并与33名医院工作人员进行了4次焦点小组讨论。母亲和医院工作人员的回答显示出一些共同点。大多数女性（n = 37，74%）将“母乳不足”视为选择配方奶喂养的原因。母亲自己的母亲或婆婆以及“月嫂”对婴儿喂养的误解似乎进一步削弱了母亲对母乳喂养的信心。母乳喂养设施不足以及工作场所灵活性有限是转向配方奶喂养的另一个常见原因。相当一部分母亲（n = 27，54%）对母乳喂养的健康益处缺乏了解。建议为准妈妈及其家人提供关于母乳喂养益处的产前教育。此外，应在母亲住院期间为其提供母乳喂养支持，并鼓励她们出院后寻求专业帮助来解决母乳喂养问题。雇主也应使工作环境对母乳喂养更加友好。
