Birth Experiences, Breastfeeding, and the Mother-Child Relationship: Evidence from a Large Sample of Mothers.
Abi M B Davis, Valentina Sclafani
PMID 35389289WHAT IT FOUND
Mothers who rated their birth experience and clinical care more positively were more likely to breastfeed.
However, breastfeeding method and duration showed no significant association with perceived mother-child bonding, conflict, or closeness.
Key findings
01Mothers who exclusively breastfed reported significantly better birth experiences and higher satisfaction with clinical care compared to those who formula fed or combination fed.
02There was no significant difference in mother-child relationship outcomes (conflict, closeness, or dependence) based on whether the infant was breastfed, formula fed, or combination fed.
03Lower birth experience scores were associated with an increased likelihood of formula or combination feeding rather than exclusive breastfeeding.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The sample was 94.8% white, limiting generalizability to mothers of colour who face unique childbirth challenges. The study was exploratory and did not account for covariates such as socioeconomic status, parity, or specific obstetric interventions, which are known to influence both birth experiences and breastfeeding. Data were collected during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have affected birth experiences and support access for some participants. Relationships were measured via self-report scales rather than objective observations of attachment.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest and received no financial support.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the association between positive birth experiences and breastfeeding as proof that improving clinical care alone will increase breastfeeding rates. The study is cross-sectional, so it cannot establish causation, and it did not control for socioeconomic status or obstetric interventions, which are major confounding factors.