Postpartum feeding attitudes, maternal depression, and breastfeeding in Barbados

Infant Behav Dev. 2006 Apr;29(2):189-203. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2005.10.005. Epub 2006 Feb 3.

Abstract

Maternal feeding attitudes, maternal moods and infant feeding practices during the first 6 months postpartum were assessed in 226 healthy, well-nourished Barbadian mother-infant dyads. Factor analysis of the feeding attitudes questionnaire resulted in six independent factors. The belief that breastfeeding was better than bottle-feeding was associated with higher family income, more information seeking behavior and older maternal age at the time of her first pregnancy. Women who believed that breastfeeding was better at 7 weeks postpartum were also more likely to breastfeed at concurrent and later ages, up to 6 months postpartum. This belief was also associated with less maternal depression at 7 weeks and 6 months. The association between feeding attitudes and actual feeding practices was significant even after correcting for maternal moods and other background variables. Conversely, after controlling for feeding attitudes, maternal mood at 7 weeks was still significantly associated with infant feeding practices at 6 months. Thus, feeding attitudes and maternal moods were closely linked, but each contributed independently and uniquely to different aspects of breastfeeding, especially at 6 months. These findings suggest that early intervention addressing maternal feeding attitudes, may improve the extent of breastfeeding and the health of children in this setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect
  • Attitude to Health
  • Barbados
  • Breast Feeding*
  • Depression*
  • Feeding Behavior*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant Behavior / physiology*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Maternal Behavior*
  • Mother-Child Relations
  • Mothers / psychology*
  • Postpartum Period / physiology*
  • Puerperal Disorders / psychology*