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Breastfeeding in China: A Review of Changes in the Past Decade

Author

Listed:
  • Qing Li

    (Department of Nursing, Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000 China)

  • Jianli Tian

    (Department of Nursing, Chengde Medical University, Chengde 067000 China)

  • Fenglian Xu

    (Data Analysis & Surgical Outcomes Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia)

  • Colin Binns

    (School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA 6845, Australia)

Abstract

This review summarizes breastfeeding rates in China reported during the decade 2007–2018, a decade on from our previous review published in 2007. Compared with the studies undertaken before 2007 in China, recent studies are more likely to report breastfeeding rates using longer periods of observation, enabling rates to be summarized to six and 12 months postpartum in this review. There appears to have been a modest increase in breastfeeding in China. The mean duration of “any breastfeeding” was 10 months (9 to 11 months in the majority of cities), an increase compared with the previous review in which the mean of “any breastfeeding” duration was 8 months (7 to 9 months in the majority of cities). Using data from cohort studies, the proportion of infants being breastfed at 4 months increased from 78% in the earlier decade to 83% more recently. A second baby is usually breastfed for longer than the first, considering both “any” and “exclusive breastfeeding”. China is a huge country and there is considerable diversity in culture, level of economic development, education and breastfeeding rates in different areas of China, but our review suggests that there has been some improvement in the “any breastfeeding” rate in the most recent decade.

Suggested Citation

  • Qing Li & Jianli Tian & Fenglian Xu & Colin Binns, 2020. "Breastfeeding in China: A Review of Changes in the Past Decade," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8234-:d:441435
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Thi Thuy Duong Doan & Colin Binns & Ngoc Minh Pham & Yun Zhao & Thi Phuong Hoa Dinh & Thi Thu Ha Bui & Trung Chuyen Tran & Xuan Hoai Nguyen & Roslyn Giglia & Fenglian Xu & Andy Lee, 2020. "Improving Breastfeeding by Empowering Mothers in Vietnam: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Mobile App," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-17, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chae, Minhee & Cai, Yong & Kim, Jun Hyung & Lavely, William, 2023. "Unintended Consequences of Family Planning Policies on the Breastfeeding Gap between Sons and Daughters," IZA Discussion Papers 16190, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Keqin Liu & Jinjin Guo & Weixi Deng & Yanwei Su, 2022. "The Current Status of Breastfeeding Knowledge and Its Influencing Factors in Nursing Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-9, December.

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