Table 1 Barriers to exclusive breastfeeding encountered by Chinese mothers and relevant solutions
Difficulties | Solutions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Maternal barriers | Breast milk quantity and quality | Insufficient breast milk | • Promote frequent sucking • Maintain a balanced diet and eat plenty of soup • Rest well and maintain a good mood • Feed for shorter durations and more times a day |
Excessive production of breast milk | • Pump milk before breastfeeding | ||
Decreased quality of breast milk as child aged | • Maintain physical health | ||
Decreased quality of breast milk during illness | • Continue breastfeeding, as antibodies from the mother could be passed to the baby through breastfeeding | ||
Breast problems | Presence of lumps during initial milk production | • Massage the breast with a hot towel | |
Engorgement | • Use a breast pump frequently | ||
Baby teething | • Communicate with baby and pat him or her gently | ||
Cracked nipples | • Use an edible ointment • Stimulate the nipples with rough towels before giving birth | ||
Blocked breast ducts | • Continue breastfeeding • Apply heat and cold to the breast | ||
Breast inflammation | • Massage and clean the breast | ||
Concerns about breast shape | Breast sagging | • Wear a bra that prevents sagging | |
Breast asymmetry | • Breastfeed from both breasts | ||
Difficulties with lactation after returning to work | Inability to take care of the baby | • Pump milk in advance • Put the baby in a crèche • Adjust working hours | |
Decreased breast milk production | • Increase workload gradually rather than having full load at the beginning | ||
Inability to balance lactation and other daily activities | Inability to balance lactation and work | • Manage time reasonably • Seek family support | |
Inconsistent sleep schedule between mother and infant | • Adjust the baby’s schedule • Adapt to the baby’s schedule • Use a breast pump • Seek family support | ||
Inability to balance lactation and childcare | • Seek family support | ||
Other problems | Dietary and behaviour restrictions | • To be determined | |
Consumption of medication | • Suspend breastfeeding while taking medication • Choose medication that can be taken during lactation • Do not take medication | ||
Maternal depression | • Self-regulation and self-control | ||
Infant barriers | Breast milk jaundice | • Continue breastfeeding, increase the frequency of breastfeeding • Promote infant secretion • Increase infant sun exposure | |
Severe diarrhoea | • Consume a maternal diet low in fat and sugar | ||
Inability to latch | • Rub around the baby’s lips | ||
Cultural barriers and social adjustment | Language barrier | • Employ Chinese health care professionals | |
Inability to consume a Chinese postpartum diet | • N/A | ||
Odd looks or negative comments from the public | • Ignore negative attitudes or behaviour • Use a cloth to cover the breast | ||
Lack of breastfeeding facilities in public | • Pump milk before going out • Reduce the frequency of going out, avoid going out, or choose places near home • Choose places that have breastfeeding facilities • Use hidden places to breastfeed (e.g., toilets, cars) | ||