Background: Chinese immigrants are the largest culturally and linguistically diverse immigrant group in Australia. Preliminary evidence indicates that infants from Chinese mothers may be at increased risks of overweight and obesity due to suboptimal infant feeding practices. Breastfeeding is associated with healthy weight gain while the replacement of breastmilk with other milks or foods is associated with rapid weight gain, a strong risk factor for obesity in later childhood. This study aims to describe breastfeeding practices and its key predictors in Chinese Australian mothers.
Methods: An online survey was developed based on the Australian Infant Feeding Survey and modified to be culturally appropriate. Chinese immigrant mothers who have a child aged 1-3 years born in Australia were eligible to participate. Infant feeding practices were analysed using descriptive statistics and key predictors were analysed using Poisson regression.
Results: A total of 265 Chinese mothers completed the survey. Almost all (91.4%) initiated exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), however by two weeks, only 50% of mothers were breastfeeding exclusively. The EBF rate at four months was 39% and 5% at six months. The sharp drop in EBF rate in the first six months was due to the introduction of formula, with 38% of mothers reporting that from birth, they intended to mix feed by using formula to top up breastmilk. Intention to EBF, awareness of recommendations to introduce solids at around 6 months and greater breastfeeding confidence predicted longer EBF duration.
Conclusion: The first few weeks postpartum is a critical period to support Chinese mothers in continuing EBF. Antenatal education should aim to address mothers’ ambivalence regarding EBF and formula use and provide clear education to delay the introduction of solids to around 6 months. Improving EBF rates is likely to promote optimal infant growth and reduce the risks of obesity in later life.