Determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among Chinese mothers in the first 6 months

Abstract

Background/Aims Exclusive breastfeeding duration remains suboptimal among Chinese mothers. Understanding the factors that influence exclusive breastfeeding is essential for developing targeted interventions to promote breastfeeding practices. This study aimed to identify determinants of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months after birth in Xuzhou City, China. Methods This prospective study enrolled 178 mothers, using structured questionnaires for data collection. Subsequent analysis used multiple linear regression to explore factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding duration. Results On average, participants exclusively breastfed for 67 days. Influencing factors included breastfeeding intention, perception of insufficient milk and maternity leave. Conclusions Targeted interventions have the potential to prolong exclusive breastfeeding duration, such as ensuring women develop accurate perceptions of their breast milk supply and extending maternity leave. Implementing these interventions is crucial to achieving the target of 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, consequently contributing to optimal health benefits for mother–infant dyads in China.