Background and Significance: The Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and that solid foods be introduced at around six months while continuing breastfeeding. A majority of Australians are not meeting this guideline and new immigrant populations are potentially most at risk. Evidence suggests that Chinese immigrant mothers in Australia are more likely to introduce infant formula and solid foods earlier. Shorter duration of exclusive breastfeeding is associated with higher risks of overweight in Chinese children. A better understanding of the facilitators and barriers to achieving best practice in infant feeding is needed to support at risk populations achieve best early feeding outcomes.
Methods: This qualitative study describes Chinese immigrant mother’s infant feeding experiences and explores factors influencing their early feeding choices. Semi structured interviews were conducted with 36 Chinese immigrant mothers who had children aged 0 to 12 months, living in Melbourne, Australia. Interviews were conducted in Chinese, using an interpreter, or in English, and audio recorded. Recordings were transcribed and analysed thematically.
Results: Eight themes were identified. Key themes included Chinese immigrant mothers were supportive of exclusive breastfeeding, however breastfeeding problems and conflicting views about infant feeding and growth from grandparents reduced many mothers’ confidence to breastfeed exclusively. For many new mothers, anxiety that exclusive breastfeeding provided insufficient nourishment prompted the introduction of formula before six months of age. Most mothers delayed introducing solid food to five to six months in the belief that this prevented the development of allergic diseases and gastrointestinal problems.
Conclusion: Chinese immigrant mothers in Australia need support to increase their confidence to breastfeed exclusively. To achieve this, culturally sensitive guidance is needed and the contradictions in advice given by Chinese grandparents and health professionals on infant feeding practices and healthy infant growth need to be recognised and addressed.