China has become the largest market of infant formula in the world. The consumption of infant formulais widespread across the country. This study investigated the opinions of Chinese mothers on infant formula.A prospective cohort study (n=695) was undertaken in 2011 in Sichuan province of China two yearsafter the melamine scandal. Infant-feeding practices and mothers’ opinions on infant formula-use weredocumented in detail. A total of 674 mothers (97%) had initiated breastfeeding by discharge. Of the 21mothers who did not commence breastfeeding, 13 made a decision to exclusively feed their babies with infantformula because of hepatitis B virus infection. Nearly 70% of newborns received infant formula as theirfirst feed, and the prevalence increased to 88% within one month. Having insufficient breastmilk was perceivedby the majority (77%) of mothers as the reason behind infant formula feeding. About half (46%) ofthe mothers agreed with or were ambivalent that infant formula feeding does not reduce their breastmilkproduction. More than one-third (38%) of women thought that formulafed infants sleep longer at nightthan those who are breastfed. In addition, this perception was positively associated with the use of formulawithin one month postpartum (p=0.003). In conclusion, mothers’ opinions appear to influence the use ofinfant formula in China. There is a need for further education on breastfeeding and infant-feeding optionsto maintain and improve breastfeeding outcomes in China.

Key words: Infant formula; Insufficient breastmilk; Melamine scandal; Mothers’ opinion; China