Association claims | Breastfeeding mothers lack knowledge of Chinese medicine

A mother pictured during an event to mark the World Breastfeeding Week in Hong Kong

The Macau Breastfeeding and Nurturing Promotion Association is conducting a survey concerning the consumption of Chinese medicine by mothers who are breastfeeding.

Current survey results indicate that many mothers do not have what is considered to be adequate knowledge about the Chinese medicine they currently use.

Currently, the association has already received answers from more than 600 local mothers.

According to the results, 65 percent of the mothers used Chinese medicine while breastfeeding but showed some misconception about the Chinese medicine itself or had a lack of proper knowledge about it.

The two popular Chinese medicines used are Lecithin and Fenugreek.

A pharmacist, surnamed Ng, noted during a recent press conference that based on the results of the survey, there is insufficient support within society for breastfeeding mothers in terms of breastfeeding knowledge and other matters. 

From the 600 mothers surveyed, the average period for breastfeeding is between one month and two years, with the longest period recorded at seven years.

Seventy-eight percent of respondents said they experienced health issues, such as breast pain, sleeping problems, and depression, while breastfeeding.

According to the association, the survey results will be used for future educational purposes in order to support breastfeeding mothers, thus hoping to improve their safe reasonable use of Chinese medicine.

The survey is still ongoing. The association is still calling for mothers who have breastfed in the past 12 months to participate. JZ