The association between breastfeeding and attachment: A systematic review
Katja Linde1, Franziska Lehnig1, Michaela Nagl1
1Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, Leipzig 04103, Germany.
Midwifery
|December 13, 2019
Summary
Breastfeeding may slightly enhance child attachment security. Maternal attachment also influences breastfeeding behaviors. Further research is needed for definitive conclusions on this important infant care topic.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- The link between breastfeeding and infant attachment is widely assumed but lacks systematic investigation.
- This review systematically examines existing research on the breastfeeding-attachment relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if breastfeeding is associated with child attachment security.
- To investigate the association between maternal attachment style and breastfeeding behavior.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (Web of Science, PubMed, PsycInfo, PsycArticles) for English-language articles from 1963 to 2019.
- Included studies focused on mothers or mother-child dyads, quantitatively measured breastfeeding and attachment, and were assessed for quality using the NIH Quality Assessment Tool.
Main Results:
- Four of seven studies found longer breastfeeding duration correlated with higher child attachment security.
- No significant differences in attachment security were found between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, though one study noted higher disorganization in bottle-fed infants.
- Three of four studies indicated a significant association between secure maternal attachment and breastfeeding behavior, with secure mothers initiating and preferring breastfeeding.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests breastfeeding may contribute to child attachment security, and maternal attachment influences breastfeeding behaviors.
- The effect of breastfeeding on attachment security may be small.
- Screening maternal attachment style could aid in supporting mothers with breastfeeding challenges.
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