Mother-Child Bond through Feeding: A Prospective Study including Neuroticism, Pregnancy Worries and Post-Traumatic Symptomatology

Abstract

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common postpartum problem and influences maternal bonding with the infant. However, the relationship between this disorder, maternal personality, and the infant’s emotional state during feeding is not clear. The aim of the present study was to explore the contribution of neuroticism on the infant’s emotional state during feeding, by attending to the mediating role of postpartum PTSD (P-PTSD) symptoms and the moderating role of worries during pregnancy. A prospective design study was developed with 120 women with a low pregnancy risk. They responded to a questionnaire assessing maternal personality (first trimester), worries during pregnancy (third trimester), P-PTSD symptoms, and mother-baby bonding (4 months postpartum). The results showed a positive association among neuroticism, infant irritability during feeding, and P-PTSD symptoms, suggesting the latter plays a mediating role in the relationship between neuroticism and infant irritability (B = 0.102, standard error (SE) = 0.03, 95% coefficient interval (CI) [0.038, 0.176]). Excessive worries, related to coping with infant care, played a moderating role between neuroticism and P-PTSD symptoms (B = 0.413, SE = 0.084, p = 0.006, 95% CI [0.245, 0.581]). This relationship was interfered with by depressive symptoms in the first trimester (covariate) (B = 1.820, SE = 0.420, p = 0.016, ci [2.314, 0.251]). This study contributes to a better understanding of the role of neuroticism as an influential factor in the occurrence of P-PTSD symptoms, and in the impairment of infant bonding during feeding. Paying attention to these factors may favor the development of psychological support programs for mothers, with the aim of strengthening the bond with their child.

Postpartum stress in the first 6 months after delivery: a longitudinal study in Nantong, China

“…Later into the postpartum period, the women were able to better choose appropriate and regular feeding patterns, recognise their baby’s needs, and soothe their crying or upset baby. Hence, postpartum stress associated with infant nurturing was reduced, and it only increased if the baby developed any health issues 55–57. Studies also found that maternal postpartum mental health may benefit from positive father engagement in infant care,58 59 and higher father engagement may mitigate maternal stress associated with infant sleep disturbances 60.…”

“…Hence, postpartum stress associated with infant nurturing was reduced, and it only increased if the baby developed any health issues. [55][56][57] Studies also found that maternal postpartum mental health may benefit from positive father engagement in infant care, 58 59 and higher father engagement may mitigate maternal stress associated with infant sleep disturbances. 60 Most Chinese fathers do not observe gender role boundaries in child rearing and are reported to be actively involved in childcare activities, such as feeding and bathing.…”