Maternal intention and actual behavior in infant feeding at one month postpartum

Five-hundred and ninety-one mothers completed a follow-up questionnaire at one month postpartum. The total breastfeeding rate declined from 83.4% before discharge to 50.8% at one month. One-hundred and fifty-three (25.9%) mothers exclusively breastfed, 147 (24.9%) mothers mixed fed, and 291 (49.2%) mothers formula fed their babies at that time. Among the mothers who initially intended to exclusively breastfeed, 39.3% changed to formula feeding, while 7.1% of the mothers who intended to mix feeding and 4.8% of the mothers who intended to formula feed changed to exclusive breastfeeding at one month postpartum. Nine percent of the breastfeeding mothers weaned within the 1st week, 9.2% weaned between the 1st and 2nd week, 8.4% weaned between the 2nd and 3rd week, while another 14.8% weaned between the 3rd and 4th week. Milk insufficiency, maternal tiredness, not knowing whether the infant had enough to eat and breast problems were the four major reasons for changing feeding method from breastfeeding to formula feeding. Positive breastfeeding attitude, non-employment and husband's approval of breastfeeding was negatively associated with changing feeding behavior from breastfeeding to formula feeding within one month postpartum. In conclusion, successful breastfeeding not only depends on factors related to the mother, but also on her environment. Education regarding breastfeeding should be provided to the entire family including the mother and father. The workplace needs to be more accommodating to breastfeeding mothers, so that they can continue breastfeeding after returning to work.