Table 1 Modifications made to create the Chinese version of the BMS after cognitive interviews

It's been said that breastfeeding is good for the baby's immune system

据说母乳喂养有益于宝宝的免疫系统。

我听说母乳喂养对宝宝的免疫系统有好处。

It was difficult for three respondents to understand that this is a self-administered scale. Therefore, it was changed from "据说" to "我听说". "有益于" and "有好处" had the same meaning, but the latter was more preferred and was more consistent with the style of the Chinese scale

It makes me feel special that this role is exclusively mine

母乳喂养这个能力只属于我让我觉得很特别。

母乳喂养让我感到我是不可替代的, 因为只有我能做到。

Three respondents wondered about the word "特别". Analysis of the original item showed that "很特别" meant "不可替代". Therefore, we directly used the hidden meaning

This way I strengthen my psychological and physical attachment to my baby

母乳喂养增强了我与宝宝心理和生理间的依恋关系。

母乳喂养拉近了我和我宝宝生理和心理的距离。

Four respondents believed that babies were not naturally attached to their mothers strongly. Therefore, "依恋" was replaced by "距离" to avoid subjective opinions on objective situations

It seems natural to me to breastfeed a baby who was nurtured in my body before it was born

对我来说, 母乳喂养一个在我体内孕育出来的孩子是件很自然的事。

我觉得母乳喂养自己生的宝宝是一件天经地义的事。

Four respondents questioned "自然", especially in the whole item. Therefore, it was replaced by "天经地义" (a Chinese idiom); this expression is more consistent with a traditional Chinese understanding of breastfeeding