About 52.4 percent of Chinese mothers have fed their babies with
breast milk exclusively, according to a recent survey of the China
Consumers' Association.
The survey interviewed more than 15,000 mothers with their
babies below six months old from 30 cities including Beijing,
Tianjin and Shanghai. It shows that 47.6 percent mixed
breast-feeding with powdered milk formula.
It found that only 55.8 percent of the interviewees prepared to
breast feed their babies in the first six months.
Among those who could not persist in breast-feeding for six
months, 41.8 percent of mothers said they could not provide
sufficient breast milk, it said.
More than 32 percent cited busy work as another principal
reason, saying it's impossible for them to rush back home to breast
feed their babies at any time they need.
About 13.8 percent of the mothers voluntarily gave up
breast-feeding as they thought powdered milk formula was more
convenient and rich in nutrition, it showed.
The Chinese government has been worried about the popular use of
baby milk formula, saying the growth of Chinese babies lags behind
developed countries because the babies are not fed properly in
early days of their life.
The Ministry of Health recently posted a statement on its
website, reiterating that breast milk is not only necessary but
also ideal for babies, as its nutrient contents are most suitable
for a baby's digestion.
The survey pointed out that 95 percent of the mothers could have
sustained exclusive breast-feeding if they got proper guidance from
medical institutions.
Barely a half of the surveyed mothers were satisfied with the
guidance from doctors. But many still turned to their relatives and
friends for help whenever they had troubles in breast-feeding, it
said.
Studies around the world have shown that breast-feeding has many
advantages for children including a reduction in infections,
respiratory illnesses and diarrhoea.
(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2007)