Establishing a Connection between Mother and Child during Breastfeeding - Research Paper Example

?Breastfeeding and its Effect on Bonding between Mother and Infant Using a qualitative descriptive approach, this research examined the responses and narratives of breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers. The findings implied that the more a mother breastfed, the stronger the bonding got between the mother and the child. Although the research shed extensive light upon the issue, there is need for further research to take this study at a broader level. Introduction The hypothesis of this research was that: There will be a statistically significant difference in intensity of mother-child bonding for mothers who breastfeed as opposed to those who do not breastfeed. In other words, this can also be understood in this way: those mothers who breastfeed their babies enjoy a more intensive emotional bonding with their children, as compared to those mothers who opt not to breastfeed. Breastfeeding not only benefits the mother and the child in terms of health, but also makes them share such a special association that lasts for lifetime. Babies tend to be more close to their breastfeeding mothers; they are more emotionally dependent on them when they grow older; and, they are healthier and confident. The independent variable (IV) in this research was breastfeeding; while, the dependent variable (DV) was mother-child bonding. Literature Review Strathearn et al. (2009) conducted a research on Australian mothers, and found that breastfeeding helped eliminate child abuse and avoidance, and resulted in such maternal bonding that removed the risk of neglect. Misri and Kendrick (2008) asserted that breastfeeding strengthened maternal bonding and impacted the child's social, psychological, behavioral, and cognitive development. Martins and Giugliani (2012) suggest that the more time a mother spends with her child feeding him, the more the child feels secure and gets attached to her. There is an interesting article by Rosin (2009) that states that breastfeeding has very few health benefits, and is just an instrument to keep the woman “down” (p.1). Similarly, Antoinette (2010) studied whether breastfeeding was better in developing bonding with kids or bottle-feeding, and found that the more a mother fed a child, the more she got attached to him, and the way of feeding had nothing to do with it. However, there is very less literature that denies the importance of breastfeeding. Gubbels et al. (2011) studied the physical benefits of breastfeeding, and found that breastfeeding affected eating style and weight of the babies. The babies also showed healthier eating habits later on in life. Merjonen et al. (2011) also found in their research that breastfeeding had many psychological impacts upon the cognitive development of the child. Oddi ei al. (2010) found that longer duration in breastfeeding was a predictor of elimination of mental health risks in children. Kim et al. (2011) found that breastfeeding results in infant boding due to certain brain activations, and invokes empathy with mother during early postpartum. Figueiredo et al. (2009) stated in their research that breastfeeding was an important factor of mother-involvement with the infant, among many other factors as touching and caressing the child. Research Design This was a qualitative research in which the participants were surveyed through questionnaires which contained open-ended and closed-ended questions. Two personal interviews were also carried out with two child specialists. The qualitative findings from the survey helped make a comparison between the two groups of mothers, in order to determine the nature of relationship between mothers and their children. Methodology Participants The population of interest was two groups of mothers, one who breastfed their babies in previous years and were still breastfeeding, and the other who did not breastfeed at all. Total number of participants was 515, out of whom 2 gave personal interviews, and 513 participated in the survey. These 513 formed two groups. The breastfeeding group contained 260 mothers; and the non-breastfeeding group contained 253 mothers. Out of 260 breastfeeding mothers, 200 were still breastfeeding; while 60 had adolescent children who were breastfed when they were young. Out of 253 non-breastfeeding mothers, 150 had infants feeding on formula; while 103 had adolescent children who had been fed on formula when they were infants (see Fig.1). The mean of mothers’ ages would be 35. 150 of those 513 respondents who completed the survey wrote narratives at the end of the open-ended questionnaires. These narratives told their experiences while feeding their children with breast milk or formula. The rest 363 respondents simply answered to the closed-ended questions with yes or no replies, and to questions which had to be answered grading from 1-10. Data Collection Data were collected through a mailed survey using Tailored Design Method that was sent to the participants to be filled. Tailored Design Method consists of precise groundwork and distribution of survey materials and questionnaire so that response rate is increased. It was accordingly noted that, due to the efficiency of this method, 150 participants found themselves willing to share their personal experiences and stories in the form of narratives at the end of their questionnaires. Filled questionnaires were kept track of so that none of them got missed accidentally, especially when these were to be collected through postage. Structured interviews were prepared consisting of all research questions. Appointments were taken. The child specialists talked about the nature of mother-child bonding resulting from breastfeeding. The distribution of survey, collecting the results, and conducting personal interviews, took 6 weeks in total. Analysis The narratives which the respondents wrote at the end of the survey were recorded down verbatim, and then, were analyzed using content analysis. NVivo7 software was used to analyze the narratives and responses, after they were read and reread multiple times. Data reduction was accomplished by writing in the margins, making footnotes and counting the frequency of analogous annotations and comments. Although all responses were deeply considered, noted down and read; however, data saturation was achieved just after the analysis of 134 responses. The analysis portion of the research took approximately two weeks. Findings Nature of bond The findings were as expected. 100% of group A mothers reported that they shared a strong mutual connection with their breastfed children, and the children also responded them back with trust and understanding. One mother stated in her narrative, “It is a beautiful experience. No other experience is more delightful than feeding your offspring through your body. It is all spiritual, you see.” Another wrote, “I can feel my adolescent turning toward me in all his problems. And this bonding he has with me since I used to breastfeed him.” Mothers of infants reported that their children showed discomfort when they were not around them. Mothers of adolescents reported the same. However, 30% of group B mothers reported that they wished they could breastfeed, because they could not, due to medical problems. The rest 70% reported that they did not breastfeed because of their decision to maintain their figures; however, they experienced a sense of estrangement coming from the children. A mother of an adolescent wrote, “I could not breastfeed because of my job, but I had no idea that this would destroy my relationship with my kid.” Interviews Both the child specialists emphasized upon the importance of breastfeeding. They asserted that breast milk contains not only the necessary nutrients for the infant, but also that spiritual sensitivity that should be an imperative part of mother-child relationship. This relationship lasts for lifetime. The child feels that his mother cares for him, and has been there for him when he needed him. Discussion The qualitative survey and its findings helped prove that breastfeeding strengthened the bonding between the mothers and their children. The mothers felt that their breastfed children turned to them in problems and whenever they needed them, and showed trust and confidence in their relationship with the mothers. On the other hand, those children who were not breastfed, showed a lack of trust and confidence in their personalities, and did not regard their mothers as their protectors when they grew up into adolescence. Limitations in the Study and Recommendations There were some limitations in this research. First, the study did not focus on the duration of breastfeeding, that is, did not state whether the duration was also important in intensifying the emotional bonding with the child. Second, the research included participants residing in the same community; and due to a small sample, data saturation was reached much earlier after analyzing only 134 responses. It is recommended that in future research, a larger sample should be taken from different ethnic backgrounds, so that it should be known whether the nature of bonding is culture-dependent or is universal. Conclusion This survey provided the mothers with the opportunity to share their experiences related to breastfeeding and formula feeding. The findings helped expand the understanding regarding what kind of bonding results from breastfeeding. The research gave an in-depth study regarding the emotional experiences of mothers, and observed the patterns of responses, which showed that most of the mothers enjoyed breastfeeding, or wished to have breastfed if they had not. Although the research is comprehensive enough, yet further research is needed to fully understand the nature of bonding in a diverse population. Figure 1: Participants References Antoinette, M. (2010). Maternal perceptions of closeness and attachment by infant feeding style: An examination of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. Kean University, 48(05), pp. 1-32. Figueiredo, B., Costa, R., Pachecho, A., & Pais, A. (2009). Mother-to-infant emotional involvement at birth. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 13(4), pp. 539-549. Gubbels, J.S., Thijs, C., Stafleu, A., Buuren, S.V., & Kremers, S.P.J. (2011). Association of breast-feeding and feeding on demand with child weight status up to 4 years. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 6(2), pp. e515–e522. Kim, P., Feldman, R., Mayes, L.C., Eicher, V., Thompson, N., Leckman, J.F., & Swain, J.E., (2011). Breastfeeding, brain activation to own infant cry, and maternal sensitivity. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 52(8), pp. 907–915 Martins, E.J., & Giugliani, E.R.J. (2012). Which women breastfeed for 2 years or more? J Pediatr, 88(1), pp. 67-73. Merjonen, P., Jokela, M., Pulkki-Raback, L., Hintsanen, M., Raitakari, O.T., Viikari, J., Keltikangas-Jarvinen, L. (2011). Breastfeeding and offspring hostility in adulthood. Psycother Psychosom, 80(6), pp. 371-373. Misri, S., & Kendrick, K. (2008). Perinatal depression, fetal bonding, and mother-child attachment: a review of the literature. Current Pediatric Reviews, 4(2), pp. 66-75. Oddi, W.H., Kendall, G.E., Li, J., Jacoby, P., Robinson, M., et al. (2010). The long-term effects of breastfeeding on child and adolescent mental health: a pregnancy cohort study followed for 14 years. The Journal of Pediatrics, 156(4), pp. 568-574. Rosin, H. (2009). The case against breast-feeding. The Atlantic. Retrieved April 21, 2012, from http://web.uvic.ca/~mfarnham/345/breastfeed_atlantic.pdf Strathearn, L., Mamun, A.A., Najman, J.M., & O'Callaghan, M.J. (2009). Does breastfeeding protect against substantiated child abuse and neglect? Pediatrics, 123(2), pp. 483-493. Read More