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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study

  • Ping Yan1,2
  • Xiuping Liu1,2
  • Lin Wei1,2
  • Jie Xiang1,2
  • Min Wang1,2
  • Yuan Chen2,3
  • Yi Liu1,2
  • Wenjing Fu1,2
  • Peng Chen4
  • Jianhua Ren1,2
4 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Obstetric Nursing, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan China
  2. 2Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, Chengdu, Sichuan China
  3. 3Department of Pharmacy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan China
  4. 4School of Computer and Software Engineering, Xihua University, Chengdu, Sichuan China
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Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is known to be shaped by a complex interplay of socio-demographic, medical, and psychological factors. However, there is a lack of research on the determinants of breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum. This study aimed to examine factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 6 weeks postpartum in Southwest China and to provide evidence for early postpartum breastfeeding support.

Methods: Sociodemographic information, infant feeding patterns at 6 weeks postpartum, and reasons for non-exclusive breastfeeding were collected using a self-designed questionnaire. Perinatal and postpartum clinical data were extracted from the electronic medical record system. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess postpartum depressive symptoms. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum.

Results: A total of 10,730 valid questionnaires were included, with a valid response rate of 93.4%. At 6 weeks postpartum, 6,478 mothers (60.4%) maintained EBF. This study found that the most commonly reported reason for discontinuing EBF was perceived insufficient milk supply (n = 3,334, 78.4%). Factors associated with lower odds of EBF included maternal age ≥ 35 years, maternal illness severity, infectious diseases, postpartum hemorrhage, twin pregnancy, resumption of menstruation, and postpartum depressive symptoms. Factors associated with higher odds of EBF included higher educational level of the mother-in-law, multiparity, vaginal delivery, and infant NICU admission.

Conclusion: At 6 weeks postpartum, EBF was associated with clinical, psychological, and family-related factors. The 6-week postpartum follow-up may provide an opportunity to identify mothers who need additional lactation and psychological support, particularly older mothers, mothers of twins, women after cesarean delivery, and those reporting depressive symptoms or concerns about milk supply.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09801-y.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{yan2026factors,
  title = {{Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study}},
  author = {Ping Yan and Xiuping Liu and Lin Wei and Jie Xiang and Min Wang and Yuan Chen and Yi Liu and Wenjing Fu and Peng Chen and Jianhua Ren},
  journal = {BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1186/s12884-026-09801-y},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09801-y},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study
AU  - Ping Yan
AU  - Xiuping Liu
AU  - Lin Wei
AU  - Jie Xiang
AU  - Min Wang
AU  - Yuan Chen
AU  - Yi Liu
AU  - Wenjing Fu
AU  - Peng Chen
AU  - Jianhua Ren
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/10
JO  - BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
DO  - 10.1186/s12884-026-09801-y
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09801-y
AB  - Background: Breastfeeding is known to be shaped by a complex interplay of socio-demographic, medical, and psychological factors. However, there is a lack of research on the determinants of breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum. This study aimed to examine factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) at 6 weeks postpartum in Southwest China and to provide evidence for early postpartum breastfeeding support.  Methods: Sociodemographic information, infant feeding patterns at 6 weeks postpartum, and reasons for non-exclusive breastfeeding were collected using a self-designed questionnaire. Perinatal and postpartum clinical data were extracted from the electronic medical record system. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess postpartum depressive symptoms. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6 weeks postpartum.  Results: A total of 10,730 valid questionnaires were included, with a valid response rate of 93.4%. At 6 weeks postpartum, 6,478 mothers (60.4%) maintained EBF. This study found that the most commonly reported reason for discontinuing EBF was perceived insufficient milk supply (n = 3,334, 78.4%). Factors associated with lower odds of EBF included maternal age ≥ 35 years, maternal illness severity, infectious diseases, postpartum hemorrhage, twin pregnancy, resumption of menstruation, and postpartum depressive symptoms. Factors associated with higher odds of EBF included higher educational level of the mother-in-law, multiparity, vaginal delivery, and infant NICU admission.  Conclusion: At 6 weeks postpartum, EBF was associated with clinical, psychological, and family-related factors. The 6-week postpartum follow-up may provide an opportunity to identify mothers who need additional lactation and psychological support, particularly older mothers, mothers of twins, women after cesarean delivery, and those reporting depressive symptoms or concerns about milk supply.  Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-026-09801-y.
SN  - 1471-2393
ER  -