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Updated: May 4, 2026

A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
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A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect

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Breastfeeding and active bonding protects against children's internalizing behavior problems

Jianghong Liu1, Patrick Leung, Amy Yang

  • 1Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. jhliu@nursing.upenn.edu.

Nutrients
|December 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding combined with active maternal bonding significantly reduces children's risk of internalizing problems. Conversely, children lacking both breastfeeding and maternal engagement showed the highest risk for these issues.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics
  • Maternal-Child Health

Background:

  • Breastfeeding offers numerous maternal and infant health advantages.
  • While linked to improved neurodevelopment, breastfeeding's role in child psychopathology requires further investigation.
  • Maternal-infant interactions are crucial for child development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined effects of breastfeeding and maternal-infant interaction on child behavioral outcomes.
  • To compare behavioral outcomes in children based on breastfeeding status and maternal bonding.
  • To explore the association between breastfeeding, bonding, and later internalizing problems.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the China Jintan Child Cohort Study (N=1267).
  • Assessment of six-year-old children and their parents.
  • Statistical analysis using ANOVA and GLM (SPSS20) to compare groups based on breastfeeding exclusivity and active maternal bonding.

Main Results:

  • Children breastfed with active maternal bonding exhibited the lowest risk of internalizing problems (mean=10.01).
  • Children with neither exclusive breastfeeding nor active maternal bonding showed the highest risk (mean=12.79).
  • Active maternal engagement during breastfeeding was associated with reduced internalizing pathology.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding, particularly when combined with active maternal bonding, confers significant protection against internalizing problems.
  • The benefits of breastfeeding on internalizing pathology appear to be a holistic effect, encompassing physiological, nutritional, and bonding aspects.
  • Maternal-infant bonding is a critical factor in mediating the positive effects of breastfeeding on child behavior.

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