Factors related to maternal perception of milk supply while in the hospital.
BACKGROUND
Perceived insufficient milk supply is a frequent concern and reason for early weaning in Taiwanese mothers.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to maternal milk supply.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out at a medical center in northern Taiwan. A total of 205 healthy mother-infant pairs were recruited. A tool to assess insufficient milk supply developed by P.D. Hill and S.S. Humenick (1996) was used to gather breastfeeding information during each participant's hospital stay.


RESULTS
Infant-feeding methods, planned breastfeeding duration, infant sucking behaviors, family support, and infant sucking patterns were found to explain 35.3% of variance in maternal perception of milk supply.


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers in Taiwan are particularly sensitive to infant crying. To prevent mothers from perceiving inadequate milk supply, nurses should encourage postpartum mothers to suckle their infant on the breast and teach mothers breastfeeding skills and how to pacify crying babies. In addition, hospital managers should make policies to minimize bottle and supplementary formula feeding.
Huang
Ya-Yi
YY
Department of Nursing, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital.
Lee
Jian-Tao
JT
Huang
Chiu-Mieh
CM
Gau
Meei-Ling
ML
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan