The association of breastfeeding initiation with sensitivity, cognitive stimulation, and efficacy among young mothers: a propensity score matching approach.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the association between breastfeeding initiation and maternal sensitivity, efficacy, and cognitive stimulation among young, low-income, African American mothers.


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.
1 School of Social Service Administration, The University of Chicago , Chicago, Illinois.
Renee C
RC
Edwards
Matthew J
MJ
Thullen
Linda G
LG
Henson
Helen
H
Lee
Sydney L
SL
Hans
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D000068101:Maternal-Child Health Services; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D057216:Propensity Score; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult