The Rate and Influencing Factors of Exclusive Breastfeeding for the First 6 Months in Nanjing, China

Background: The rates of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months in China are relatively low. The purpose of our study was to investigate the rate and influencing factors of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months in Nanjing, China. Methods: : A total of 1261 mothers from six community healthcare centres in the main urban and suburban districts of Nanjing were enrolled from January 2019 to June 2019. A multivariate logistic regression analysis and chi-squared test were used to explore the factors related to exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. Results: : The rate of exclusive breast-feeding for the first 6 months was 29.4% in our study. A high education level, caesarean delivery, gestational age <37 weeks, having babysitters care for their babies, taking medicine during lactation and using a bottle to feed breast milk were shown to be associated with non-exclusive breast-feeding. The reasons for providing milk formula to babies were different among different stages in the first 6 months. A common reason for giving up exclusive breast-feeding was a perceived insufficiency of breast milk. Conclusion: Investigating the reasons and then implementing the corresponding measures would improve exclusive breast-feeding in the future.