Factors associated with Maternal Attachment of Breastfeeding Mothers

The role of breastfeeding and formula feeding regarding depressive symptoms and an impaired mother child bonding

Associations between depressive symptoms and breastfeeding are well documented. However, evidence is lacking for subdivisions of feeding styles, namely exclusive breastfeeding, exclusive formula feeding and a mixed feeding style (breastfeeding and formula feeding). In addition, studies examining associations between mother-child-bonding and breastfeeding have yielded mixed results. The aim of this study is to provide a more profound understanding of the different feeding styles and their associations with maternal mental health and mother-child-bonding. Data from 307 women were collected longitudinally in person (prenatally) and by telephone (3 months postnatally) using validated self-report measures, and analyzed using correlational analyses, unpaired group comparisons and regression analyses. Our results from a multinomial regression analysis revealed that impaired mother-child-bonding was positively associated with mixed feeding style (p = .003) and depressive symptoms prenatal were positively associated with exclusive formula feeding (p = .013). Further studies could investigate whether information about the underlying reasons we found for mixed feeding, such as insufficient weight gain of the child or the feeling that the child is unsatiated, could help prevent impaired mother-child-bonding. Overall, the results of this study have promising new implications for research and practice, regarding at-risk populations and implications for preventive measures regarding postpartum depression and an impaired mother-child-bonding.

Quality of prenatal care and maternal fetal attachment among primigravid mothers in the Philippines: A cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

The prenatal period is a proper chance for evaluating maternal-fetal attachment.

AIM

To determine the relationship between quality of prenatal care and maternal-fetal attachment among primigravida mothers during late pregnancy period.

METHODS

The study conducted a survey using a 46-item Quality of Prenatal Care Questionnaire and 24-item Maternal-Fetal Attachment Scale among 343 primigravida mothers in village health stations. Pearson correlation was used to correlate maternal-fetal attachment scores and quality of prenatal scores. Linear regression was used to determine relationships between variables.

RESULTS

Maternal-fetal attachment scores is correlated with: age ≤19 years (4.10 [95 % CI 1.81-6.39]), companion during visits (2.76 [95 % CI 0.34-5.18]), education (3.45 [95 % CI 0.93-5.97]). On multivariate analysis, the following were significantly associated with maternal-fetal attachment scores: information sharing (8.67 [95 % CI 4.74 - 12.60]), sufficient time (-2.34 [95 % CI -3.45 - -1.24]), support and respect (8.49 [95 % CI 4.54 - 12.45]), maternal age < 19 years (-3.78 [-5.81 to -1.75]), and unmarried (2.55 [95 % CI 0.70 - 4.41]).

CONCLUSION

The quality of prenatal care is correlated significantly with maternal-fetal attachment. Women valued the care given when it was individualized and the health workers were approachable in their ways and addressed their own particular needs. Combination of prenatal education and counselling tailored to address own particular emotional and social concerns of pregnant mothers are interventions that should be integrated in maternal care services.

Rethinking breastfeeding management: A patient-centered approach based on new guidelines

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) now recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life. Nationally, however, breastfeeding rates are low, with Black infants among the least likely to be breastfed. The updated AAP breastfeeding policy guidelines emphasize an urgent need for a patient-centered approach to cultivate awareness of breastfeeding benefits and promote equitable care.

Breastfeeding and maternal attachment: The moderating roles of maternal stress and child behavior

PURPOSE

This study examined the effect of breastfeeding on maternal attachment, and explored the moderating role of maternal stress and child behavior in this relationship, in a sample of Spanish mothers with children aged between 2 and 7 years.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 432 mothers participated in a cross-sectional online survey. A three-way interaction model was used to test the moderating role of maternal stress and child behavioral problems in the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal attachment.

RESULTS

The full model accounted for 19% of the variance of maternal attachment. Breastfeeding was significantly associated with mother-rated attachment, and the moderated moderation analysis confirmed the moderating effects of maternal stress and child behavior on the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal attachment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to the existing literature that supports the contribution that breastfeeding makes in enhancing maternal attachment, and may help to clarify the role of breastfeeding in shaping maternal attachment. Our findings suggest that breastfeeding is a factor in enhancing maternal attachment, and also identify maternal stress and child behavior as moderators of this relationship.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Understanding the mechanisms by which breastfeeding affects maternal attachment will help generate recommendations to improve breastfeeding and maternal attachment.

Concept analysis of maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process

BACKGROUND

At the time that the mother and baby transit from breastfeeding to weaning, maternal-fetal attachment becomes a crucial basis for maintaining their emotional relationship. Conceptualization is needed to better understand the phenomenon of maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper is to explore and identify the essence of the term maternal-infant attachment during weaning and to arrive at an operational definition of the concept.

METHOD

Concept analysis following Walker and Avant.

RESULTS

The attributes of maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process include (1) consistent and properly timed, (2) dynamic transactional interaction, and (3) secured adjustment. Maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process is brought by maternal sensitivity, closeness and proximity seeking, gentle and positive weaning, and breastfeeding experiences, which later turn into favorable emotion regulation, maturity, self-efficacy, secured bond, less intrusive interaction, resilience, and child's behavioral and development.

CONCLUSION

This concept analysis provides new insight into maternal-infant attachment during the weaning process that guides the nursing practice. Also, the findings can help develop or improve the models, theories, and instruments collected for maintaining maternal-fetal attachment during the weaning process.

Intergenerational Transmissible Meanings in Breastfeeding in Spain: A Phenomenological Study

BACKGROUND

The process of breastfeeding is linked to intergenerational influences based on attitudes and messages of grandmothers about their own experience, and this can reinforce or interfere with the experiences of future mothers in breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to explore the meanings transmissible to the next generation of nursing mothers, based on the experiences of grandmothers.

METHODS

We report the findings of an interpretive phenomenological qualitative research based on the philosophy of Martin Heidegger. In-depth interviews were conducted in Madrid with 17 participants who breastfed before the age of 35 and more than 8 years ago (to ensure the settlement of transmissible meanings in remote memory). Data were analyzed by interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA).

FINDINGS

Two thematic categories were identified: "Breastfeeding: life experiences" and "Breastfeeding: body and mind process", which show that mothers want to convey the need for a balance that allows maintaining the role of women outside of stereotypes but that is also compatible with the rhythm of life, giving new meanings to attachment, weaning, and modesty.

CONCLUSIONS

Meanings that future grandmothers wish to transmit to the next generation of nursing mothers are related to the search for a satisfactory experience for the mother, who must make an adjustment in her life, freeing herself of inflexible messages about attachment and the maternal role.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Strategies to promote breastfeeding and care for nursing mothers can improve the impact of trying to understand the meanings that are transmitted by the grandmothers in the family environment.