Chinese mothers intention to breastfeed, actual achievement and early postnatal experience.

Thirty Chinese primiparous mothers were asked during the antenatal period their breastfeeding intention and then interviewed at delivery and 6 weeks post delivery. One mother had no intention to breastfeed. Ten mothers intended exclusive breastfeeding for one month and 19 for 6 weeks or more. At 6 weeks post delivery only 4 mothers were still breastfeeding. A total of 22 (73%) did not achieve their initial intention. For any future pregnancy, 5 chose exclusive breastfeeding, 22 complementary and 3 formula feeding. Chinese primiparous mothers have high breastfeeding intentions but the majority do not achieve them and their experience has discouraged them from exclusive breastfeeding in future pregnancies.