Abstract

BackgroundThe prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months was previously found to be very low among Chinese immigrants in Ireland, at 5.8% (Zhou et al., Front Public Health 6:351, 2018). This study investigates the successful experiences of Chinese mothers living in Ireland who exclusively breastfeed for between four and 6 months.MethodsParticipants were recruited from the sample of the Ireland Chinese Mother Survey. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with fourteen participants in their homes or public places.ResultsA content analysis revealed that various factors contributed to a successful experience of exclusive breastfeeding among the group of Chinese immigrant mothers, including strong self-determination; appropriate physical conditions; awareness of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding; a lack of time constraints; and family, professional and policy support. The barriers that the mothers faced included the difficulty of balancing breastfeeding and employment, infant health issues, language barriers, an inability to consume the traditional Chinese postpartum diet and a lack of public breastfeeding facilities. Measures taken to overcome these barriers included seeking family support, resting during the lactation period, and pumping breast milk to feed from a bottle when outside the home.ConclusionsThis study highlights unique factors affecting exclusive breastfeeding among Chinese mothers in Ireland, which may be useful to health care professionals working with Chinese immigrant women internationally.

Highlights

  • The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months was previously found to be very low among Chinese immigrants in Ireland, at 5.8% (Zhou et al, Front Public Health 6:351, 2018)

  • The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of Chinese immigrant mothers who exclusively breastfed for four to 6 months

  • The specific objectives of the study were to 1) identify factors contributing to the success of exclusive breastfeeding; and 2) find solutions to the barriers impeding exclusive breastfeeding among immigrant Chinese mothers in Ireland

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Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for at least 4 months was previously found to be very low among Chinese immigrants in Ireland, at 5.8% (Zhou et al, Front Public Health 6:351, 2018). Breastfeeding has short-term and long-term health benefits for infants and mothers. Numerous studies have shown that breastfeeding has protective effects against infectious diseases in infancy [1], obesity in childhood and adulthood [2], and breast [3] and ovarian cancer [4] for mothers. Exclusive breastfeeding is defined as feeding an infant with human breast milk only with provision of oral rehydration solutions, drops, and syrups if needed [6]. Introduction of solids before 4 months is associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity [9]. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, with the introduction of solid foods thereafter and continued breastfeeding for

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