FOR quite a large number of mothers, breastfeeding their newborns after labor can be an imposing mission. Some mothers in Shenzhen have been receiving phone calls recently from fake breastfeeding centers promoting products and services, the Shenzhen Economic Daily reported yesterday.

It was reported that some unlicensed institutions that are promoting their products by offering free door-to-door breastfeeding guidance services, are actually spreading flawed information about breastfeeding.

Professional doctors at maternity and child-care hospitals reminded residents to beware such “free service” providers. If new mothers want guidance on breastfeeding, there are more than 40 hospitals that provide free consultancy services via hotlines.

A father in Shenzhen identified as Ren said he received a phone call soon after his child was born. The person on the other end said the call was from the hospital where Ren’s wife had given birth and they wanted to review the mother’s breastfeeding situation.

Ren’s wife happened to have some difficulties breastfeeding her child, so the husband thought the call was timely help. The caller recommended a so-called instructor from a breastfeeding center, and the instructor said she could provide a free door-to-door service to examine Ren’s wife.

Later, while communicating with other new mothers, Ren’s wife learned that her husband was not the only person to receive such a free offer.

Some mothers said that when the instructor came to their home to check the mothers’ problems, she charged at least 380 yuan (US$55.8) for a massage to promote lactation.

According to Leng Xiulan, a nurse at Shenzhen Maternity & Child Health-care Hospital, around 99 percent of mothers have adequate lactation for breastfeeding and do not need extra intervention. If the service provider doesn’t perform the practice professionally, as is most often the case, it will damage the woman’s mammary glands.

The nurse said that the stomachs of newborns are extremely small at first but will need more milk as they grow. It is normal for some mothers to feel that they don’t lactate enough in the first few months.

“Breastfeeding requires professional guidance, and every maternity and child-care hospital organizes lectures to teach about breastfeeding,” said Leng. In most cases, nurses at the hospitals will also guide new mothers in how to breastfeed their newborns following labor.

This week, from Aug. 1 to 7, is World Breastfeeding Awareness Week. (Zhang Qian)