Breastfeeding, Skin-to-Skin Contact, and Mother-Infant Interactions Over Infants' First Three Months

Abstract

The effects of skin-to-skin contact (SSC) on the maintenance of mothers' decision to breastfeed, the effects of breastfeeding and SSC on mother-infant interactions, and whether maternal depressive symptoms mediate these effects were investigated over infants' first 3 months. When infants were 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months of age, mothers in the SSC and control groups reported the type of infant feeding provided and completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; J.L. Cox, J.M. Holden, & R. Sagovsky, 1987); mother-infant interactions were coded on the Nursing Child Assessment Feeding Scale (NCAFS; G. Summer & A. Spietz, 1994). Percentage of breastfeeding dyads in the SSC group was stable over the 3 months; yet, fewer dyads in the control group were breastfeeding at the 2- and 3-month visits than at the 1-week visit. Breastfeeding dyads had higher NCAFS Caregiver subscale scores, indicating more positive maternal interactions, at 1 week, 2 months, and 3 months. NCAFS scores did not differ for the SSC and control groups. EPDS scores did not mediate the effect of SSC on breastfeeding or breastfeeding on NCAFS Caregiver subscale scores.

Healthy Birth Practice #6: Keep Mother and Baby Together— It’s Best for Mother, Baby, and Breastfeeding

“…Skinto-skin care while rooming-in reduced maternal physiologic stress and depressive feelings after hospital discharge, which may help to empower women in their role as mothers. Duration of breastfeeding in mothers who had frequent skin-to-skin contact while rooming-in was longer compared to mothers who spent less time skin-to-skin with their babies during the first 5 days after birth (Bigelow et al, 2014). Research also suggests that skin-to-skin care while rooming-in also may be an effective intervention for mothers who have breastfeeding difficulties and are therefore at risk for breastfeeding cessation (Chiu, Anderson, & Burkhammer, 2008).…”

What promotes and hinders success in breastfeeding in hospital care? – the role of social support and anxiety

“…Prominent professional organizations such as WHO and UNICEF (1989), the American Academy of Pediatrics (Gartner et al, 2005) and the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (Chantry, Eglash, & Labbok, 2005) recommend breastfeeding as an optimal source of food, ensuring appropriate physical, emotional and mental development of a child (Gartner et al, 2005;Nehring-Gugulska & Żukowska-Rubik, 2006;Stuebe & Schwarz, 2010). At the same time, abundant scientific research confirms that the competent care of a mother and a child, from the first hours of a child's life (which largely takes place in obstetric wards), promotes stimulation of lactation and helps to avoid problems related to lactation which often discourage mothers and hinder breastfeeding (Bigelow et al, 2014;Grassley & Nelms, 2008;Haroon, Das, Salam, Imdad, & Bhutta, 2013;Mathews, Leerkes, Lovelady, & Labban, 2014;Spatz, Kim, & Froh, 2014;Spiby et al, 2009).…”

“…The mother's body protects, nourishes and stimulates development of a child. After labor breastfeeding becomes a natural extension of this relation (Bigelow et al, 2014;Tambelli, Odorisio, & Lucarelli, 2014). The type of infant feeding chosen -natural or artificial -can undoubtedly affect the quality of the emotional bond between a mother and a child.…”

“…Breastfeeding is a source of various emotional and cognitive experiences. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers dedicate more time and attention to their children and feel more self-confident (Bigelow et al, 2014;Kielbratowska, Kazmierczak, Michalek, & Preis, 2015). Breastfeeding releases positive symptoms of emotional behavior that create an emotional bond with a newborn baby, extremely important for the further proper development of a child (Bielawska-Batorowicz, 2006;Tambelli, Odorisio, & Lucarelli, 2014).…”

Temperament and the Mother–infant Dyad: Associations With Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding With a Bottle

“…The mother's body protects, feeds, and stimulates the child's development. After birth, breastfeeding is an extension of this relationship (Bigelow et al, 2014;Tambelli, Odorisio, & Lucarelli, 2014). Breast milk is a regular nourishment that provides elements necessary for further organ creation and development (Nehring-Gugulska & Zukowska-Rubik, 2006).…”