The Association of Breastfeeding Initiation with Sensitivity, Cognitive Stimulation, and Efficacy Among Young Mothers: A Propensity Score Matching Approach
Year: 2014
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between breastfeeding initiation and maternal sensitivity, efficacy, and cognitive stimulation among young, low-income, African American mothers. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred twenty-one mothers were interviewed during pregnancy, at birth, and at 4 months postpartum regarding breastfeeding and parenting. Medical records were collected after birth, and mother-infant interactions were videotaped at 4 months. Propensity score matching was used to address selection bias by matching breastfeeding and nonbreastfeeding mothers on characteristics measured prior to breastfeeding. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four (56%) mothers initiated breastfeeding. After matching, mothers who initiated breastfeeding reported greater parenting efficacy (effect size, d=0.44) and were observed to be more sensitive with their 4-month-old infants (effect size, d=0.42) than nonbreastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding was marginally associated with less maternal intrusiveness (effect size, d=0.28) but was not related to parenting attitudes or cognitive stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: This study presents evidence supporting the claim that breastfeeding may enhance maternal efficacy and sensitivity. Providing breastfeeding support to young mothers may have effects that extend beyond maternal and child health outcomes to parenting and mother-child interactions.
Source: Breastfeeding Medicine
Institutions: University of Chicago, University of Missouri
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: G3631626210, G3748203929, G6186210359
OpenAlex ID: W1472777084