Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Key Lab of Health Technology Assessment, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (Fudan University), Shanghai, China; Jiading District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai, China.
Danone Nutricia Early Life Nutrition, Shanghai, China.
Appetite. 2018 Sep 1;128:263-270. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.06.027. Epub 2018 Jun 20.
Breastfeeding rates remain low in China despite decades of efforts at improving breastfeeding practices. The study aimed to explore mothers' breastfeeding experience throughout the breastfeeding period and to understand their challenges and support service needs at each stage. Qualitative research methods, individual in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were carried out with mothers and people who played various roles regarding breastfeeding such as service provider, researcher and policy maker. Mothers' breastfeeding practices can be categorized into five stages. In the 'preparatory stage', pregnant women had high intention towards breastfeeding but had inadequate knowledge and skills preparation. In the 'initial stage' in hospital for childbirth, mothers received inadequate support from hospital professionals due to the short hospital stay. In the 'self-exploratory stage' after being discharged from hospital, mothers mostly relied on non-professionals' support. In the 'transitional stage' between four and six months postpartum, most mothers gave up exclusive breastfeeding due to the lack of a supportive environment at workplace. At the 'complementary feeding stage', most mothers stopped breastfeeding and switched to formula between six and 12 months for reasons such as perceived non-nutritious value of breast milk after six months, returning to work, desiring returning to former lifestyle. This study shows that mothers encounter different problems and have specific needs for support at different stages of breastfeeding. Tailored support could be provided to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for up to 2 years.
尽管中国数十年来一直致力于改善母乳喂养做法，但母乳喂养率仍然很低。本研究旨在探讨母亲在整个母乳喂养期间的母乳喂养体验，并了解她们在每个阶段的挑战和支持服务需求。采用定性研究方法，对母亲以及在母乳喂养方面扮演各种角色的人（如服务提供者、研究人员和政策制定者）进行了个人深入访谈和焦点小组讨论。母亲的母乳喂养实践可以分为五个阶段。在“准备阶段”，孕妇对母乳喂养有很高的意愿，但在知识和技能准备方面不足。在分娩期间的“初始阶段”，由于住院时间短，母亲从医院专业人员那里得到的支持不足。在出院后的“自我探索阶段”，母亲主要依赖非专业人员的支持。在产后四到六个月的“过渡阶段”，由于工作场所缺乏支持环境，大多数母亲放弃了纯母乳喂养。在“补充喂养阶段”，大多数母亲在六个月至 12 个月之间停止母乳喂养并改用配方奶，原因包括六个月后认为母乳没有营养价值、重返工作岗位、希望恢复以前的生活方式。本研究表明，母亲在母乳喂养的不同阶段会遇到不同的问题，并对支持有特定的需求。可以提供针对性的支持，以鼓励头六个月纯母乳喂养，并持续母乳喂养至 2 岁。
