Temperament and the Mother–infant Dyad

Associations With Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding With a Bottle

Bibliographic Data

ID11277288
AuthorsBogumila Kielbratowska (0000-0001-9675-3899, Gdańsk Medical University), Maria Kazmierczak (0000-0001-7323-2580, University of Gdańsk), Justyna Michałek-Kwiecień (0000-0002-6059-2381, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, corresponding author), Justyna Michalek (University of Warmia and Mazury), Krzysztof Preis (0000-0002-8097-3552, Gdańsk Medical University)
Year2015
Volume36
Issue3
Pages243-250
Publication date2015-05-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInfant Mental Health Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0163-9641 • E-ISSN: 1097-0355
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/imhj.21508
PMID25973840
OpenAlexW2130945870
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited33

Breastfeeding supports the formation of an emotional bond between mothers and their children. The feeding method is associated with both the child's temperament and the mother's perception of herself and the child. Therefore, the present study focuses on the feeding method, mothers’ reaction during feeding, and infants’ temperament traits. Ninety‐eight mothers with children aged 3 to 5 months participated in the study. Children were assessed with the Children Development Scale (A. Matczak et al., 2007) to measure their temperament. Mothers completed the Mother and Baby Scale (D. Wolke & I. St James‐Roberts, 1987, as cited in T.B. Brazelton & K. Nugent, 1995), which measures mothers’ evaluation of their children's behaviors during feeding and their overall experiences with their children's care. The results show that breastfed newborns, as compared to bottle‐fed newborns, demonstrate higher vigor, which includes activity and the intensity of reaction. Bottle‐fed children demonstrate higher regularity than do breastfed children. Mothers who bottle‐feed their children perceive themselves to be less confident in the feeding domain than do mothers who breastfeed. Our results indicate that children's temperament might be an important factor in the decision regarding the feeding method. The study supports the idea of promoting knowledge of children's behaviors during feeding among mothers even before their children are born, such as during antenatal classes

Breastfeeding · Developmental psychology · Dyad · Infant feeding · Personality · Temperament · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Infant Health and Development · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Pediatrics