How to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Ireland: a qualitative study on views of Chinese immigrant mothers

Background The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Ireland is very low with extremely slow annual growth. The population of immigrants in Ireland is increasing. Improving exclusive breastfeeding practice among immigrants may contribute to the overall improvement of exclusive breastfeeding rates in Ireland. This study was conducted to elicit suggestions on improving exclusive breastfeeding rate for the first 6 months among Chinese immigrants in Ireland. Methods Fourteen semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with Chinese immigrant mothers residing in Ireland, who breastfed exclusively for 4 to 6 months. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in Chinese. Data were analyzed using a qualitative thematic analysis. Themes were developed through categorization of codes and via in-depth discussion between two researchers. Results Themes generated from the thematic content analysis were: 1) suggestions for new mothers: being strong mentally and getting support from family and friends; 2) suggestions for employers: creating a supportive workplace by setting up private rooms and breastmilk storage facilities; 3) suggestions for healthcare professionals: advocating breastfeeding in the hospital and addressing cultural differences by recruiting multilingual staff; 4) suggestions for the government: promoting breastfeeding by initiating societal and policy changes. Conclusions The key findings emerging from this study may be considered in the development of breastfeeding promotion strategies in Ireland. Our findings could also have implications for other English-speaking countries with low rates of exclusive breastfeeding.

How to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Ireland: a qualitative study on views of Chinese immigrant mothers

Background: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Ireland is very low with extremely slow annual growth. The population of immigrants in Ireland is increasing. Improving exclusive breastfeeding practice among immigrants may contribute to the overall improvement of exclusive breastfeeding rates in Ireland. This study was conducted to elicit suggestions on improving exclusive breastfeeding rate for six months among Chinese immigrants in Ireland. Methods: Fourteen semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with Chinese immigrant mothers residing in Ireland, who breastfed exclusively for four to six months. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in Chinese. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Themes were developed through categorization of codes and via in-depth discussion between two researchers.Results: Themes generated from thematic content analyses were 1) suggestions for new mothers: being strong mentally and getting support from family and friends; 2) suggestions for employers: creating a supportive workplace by setting up private room and breastmilk storage facilities; 3) suggestions for health care professionals: advocating breastfeeding in the hospital and addressing cultural differences by recruiting multilingual staff; 4) suggestions for the government: promoting breastfeeding by initiating societal and policy changes. Conclusions: The key findings emerging from this study may be considered in the development of breastfeeding promotion strategies in Ireland. Our findings could also have implications for other English-speaking countries with low rates of exclusive breastfeeding.

How to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Ireland: a qualitative study on views of Chinese immigrant mothers

Background: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Ireland is very low with extremely slow annual growth. The population of immigrants in Ireland is increasing. Improving exclusive breastfeeding practice among immigrants may contribute to the overall improvement of exclusive breastfeeding rates in Ireland. This study was conducted to elicit suggestions on improving exclusive breastfeeding rate for six months among Chinese immigrants in Ireland. Methods: Fourteen semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with Chinese immigrant mothers residing in Ireland, who breastfed exclusively for four to six months. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in Chinese. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Themes were developed through categorization of codes and via in-depth discussion between two researchers. Results: Themes generated from thematic content analyses were 1) suggestions for new mothers: being strong mentally and getting support from family and friends; 2) suggestions for employers: creating a supportive workplace by setting up private room and breastmilk storage facilities; 3) suggestions for health care professionals: advocating breastfeeding in the hospital and addressing cultural differences by recruiting multilingual staff; 4) suggestions for the government: promoting breastfeeding by initiating societal and policy changes. Conclusions: The key findings emerging from this study may be considered in the development of breastfeeding promotion strategies in Ireland. Our findings could also have implications for other English-speaking countries with low rates of exclusive breastfeeding.

Cultural Influences on Complementary Feeding Beliefs amongst New Chinese Immigrant Mothers in England: A Mixed Methods Study

Adequate nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential for ensuring the growth, health, and development of children so that they can reach their full potential. There is a current void of data on infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF) in ethnic minority communities in the UK; specifically, it is difficult to find accurate Chinese IYCF data in the UK because survey data often includes Chinese in the category of ‘Chinese or other ethnic group’, further contributing to health inequalities. This mixed methods study aimed to explore the cultural influences on IYCF beliefs among new Chinese immigrant mothers. A total of 31 mothers of infants aged 6–23 months were recruited from informal community organizations. All 31 mothers were born in Mainland China, the mean length of their stay after immigrating to the UK was 10 years (range = 1–21 years), and their mean age was 29 ± 3.40 years. When using the Infant Feeding Style Questionnaire (IFSQ) to investigate IYCF beliefs, the highest score was obtained for responsive attention, with a value of 4.28 ± 0.92, indicating that parents were very attentive to child hunger and satiety cues; lower scores were obtained for indulgence soothing (1.82 ± 1.01), indulgence coaxing (2.11 ± 1.18), indulgence pampering (1.90 ± 0.95), and pressuring to soothe (1.92 ± 0.86), indicating lesser maternal indulgence and pressuring/controlling beliefs. A sub-sample (n = 14) participated in semi-structured interviews in order to understand the balancing sources of information and cultural preferences, the influence of traditional Chinese medicine, and language difficulties in accessing health services. The mothers reported barriers of IYCF beliefs and the introduction of solid foods earlier than the NHS guidelines. This study can promote optimal IYCF in Chinese immigrants and show health services the need to reconcile differences between the perceptions of British and Chinese health beliefs.

How to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Ireland: a qualitative study on views of Chinese immigrant mothers

Background The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Ireland is very low with extremely slow annual growth. The population of immigrants in Ireland is increasing. Improving exclusive breastfeeding practice among immigrants may contribute to the overall improvement of exclusive breastfeeding rates in Ireland. This study was conducted to elicit recommendations on improving exclusive breastfeeding rate for six months among Chinese immigrants in Ireland. Methods Fourteen semi-structured in-depth individual interviews were conducted with Chinese immigrant mothers resident in Ireland, who breastfed exclusively for four to six months. Results Themes generated from thematic content analyses were 1) recommendation for mothers: improve self-intention to breastfeed exclusively and self-efficacy, be financially secure before pregnancy, and obtain breastfeeding information proactively. 2) Recommendation for family members, employers and colleagues, and health care professionals: family members should offer sufficient support. Employers should provide hygienic places for breastmilk storage, and set up breastfeeding rooms and nurseries. Irish hospitals need to advocate exclusive breastfeeding, recruit and train multilingual health care professionals, and combine breastfeeding knowledge with practice in the prenatal education. 3) Recommendation for the government: set up breastfeeding rooms and dedicated rooms for breastfeeding groups, and increase the publicity and visibility of breastfeeding in multiple languages. An independent welfare policy for immigrants was also recommended. Conclusions The key findings emerging from this study may be considered in the development of breastfeeding promotion strategies in Ireland. Our findings could also have implications for other English-speaking countries with low rates of exclusive breastfeeding.

How to promote exclusive breastfeeding in Ireland: a qualitative study on views of Chinese immigrant mothers

Background: The exclusive breastfeeding rate in Ireland is very low with extremely slow annual growth. The population of immigrants in Ireland is increasing. Improving exclusive breastfeeding practice among immigrants may contribute to the overall improvement of exclusive breastfeeding rates in Ireland. This study was conducted to elicit recommendations on improving exclusive breastfeeding rate for six months among Chinese immigrants in Ireland.Methods: Fourteen semi-structured in-depth individual interviews were conducted with Chinese immigrant mothers resident in Ireland, who breastfed exclusively for four to six months.Results: Themes generated from thematic content analyses were 1) recommendation for mothers: improve self-intention to breastfeed exclusively and self-efficacy, be financially secure before pregnancy, and obtain breastfeeding information proactively. 2) Recommendation for family members, employers and colleagues, and health care professionals: family members should offer sufficient support. Employers should provide hygienic places for breastmilk storage, and set up breastfeeding rooms and nurseries. Irish hospitals need to advocate exclusive breastfeeding, recruit and train multilingual health care professionals, and combine breastfeeding knowledge with practice in the prenatal education. 3) Recommendation for the government: set up breastfeeding rooms and dedicated rooms for breastfeeding groups, and increase the publicity and visibility of breastfeeding in multiple languages. An independent welfare policy for immigrants was also recommended.Conclusions: The key findings emerging from this study may be considered in the development of breastfeeding promotion strategies in Ireland. Our findings could also have implications for other English-speaking countries with low rates of exclusive breastfeeding.