Utilizing a Newly Designed Scale for Evaluating Family Support and Its Association with Exclusive Breastfeeding
Abstract Background: Although a woman's perception of her family members' support has long been established to be an influential factor on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) it still has not been specified and quantified as a facilitator and guidance for practice. Objective: To investigate in new mothers the association between EBF and maternal perception of family support with a standardized scale that classified support into nine items of behavioral or psychological support. Method: A cross sectional survey was carried out among 655 new mothers to collect information on their breastfeeding behavior and their corresponding family support at a baby friendly hospital in Beijing, China. Additionally, a nine item standardized scale was used to explore the perceived family support for breastfeeding by new mothers. Breastfeeding behaviors were investigated using the indicators recommended by the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Results: The EBF rate was 37.9% The average score on the family perception scale re.