Child Health Nurs Res.  2019 Jan;25(1):65-73. 10.4094/chnr.2019.25.1.65.

Factors associated with Maternal Attachment of Breastfeeding Mothers

• Kim SH

• KMID: 2433559
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4094/chnr.2019.25.1.65

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study aimed to identify factors associated with maternal attachment of breastfeeding mothers, with a focus on the mothers' breastfeeding characteristics.
METHODS
Data were collected from 217 mothers who breastfed their healthy baby for 1 month after childbirth and had no postpartum complications. The data were analyzed by hierarchical regression analysis.
RESULTS
The factors significantly associated with maternal attachment were an emotional exchange with one's baby (β=.41, p < .001), breastfeeding confidence (β=.20, p=.022), depression ("˜quite a bit or more', β= −.18, p=.005), and depression ("˜a little', β=−.14, p=.024). The model explained 38.4% of variance in maternal attachment.
CONCLUSION
In order to improve attachment, nurses should be actively supported in helping mothers in the first month postpartum adapt to breastfeeding. Interventions to prevent postpartum depression should also be conducted.

Keyword

Breast feeding; Mother-child relations; Object attachment; Psychological adaptation; Volition

MeSH Terms

Adaptation, Psychological
Breast Feeding*
Depression
Depression, Postpartum
Female
Humans
Mother-Child Relations
Mothers*
Object Attachment
Parturition
Postpartum Period
Volition