Factors Affecting Postnatal Mother-To-Infant Bonding

Acibadem University104 enrolled

Overview

The aim of this study is to determine the factors that affect the postnatal mother-to-infant bonding.

Bonding is recognised as one of the fundamental processes in terms of the socio-emotional development of the infants and the relationship they establish with the outside world.Mother-to-infant bonding typically initiates during pregnancy and continues to evolve through early childhood, reflecting the mother's emotional orientation toward her infant. The initial postnatal period is the most favourable time for the initiation of a positive mother-to-infant relationship and bonding.An adequate mother-to-infant bonding contributes to the positive physical and socio-emotional development of the child. A weaker mother-to-infant bonding is associated with insecure attachment and depression and anxiety in children. Also, women with weaker mother-to-infant bonding have been found to show less interest in the health of their children. These behaviours cause long-term negative cognitive and socio-emotional development in the child.In a study that assessed the level of mother-to-infant bonding in the postnatal period and the associated factors, in general, a significant proportion of mothers had difficulties in mother-to-infant bonding in the postnatal period. The postpartum period is a critical, complicated period of transition for both the mother and the infant, considering psychological, social, and physiological difficulties. Therefore, the mother-to-infant bonding can be affected by many factors. The aim of this study is to determine the factors that affect the postnatal mother-to-infant bonding.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

104

Conditions

Postpartum Bonding Newborn

Interventions

No interventionOTHER

No intervention was performed on the mothers or infants.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * All healthy mothers who applied to the hospital's maternity ward at the time of the study * who had a normal spontaneous delivery * infants who were born at ≥38 gestational weeks * infants who were deemed healthy by the physician were included in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Mothers who had a risky health problem during delivery * Infants who had a congenital illness

Locations (1)

Acıbadem University

Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

MIBS level

After the first breastfeeding experience was completed, the mother assessed based on the mothers' self-reports using the Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). The "MIBS", developed by Taylor et al., was used to assess mother-to-infant bonding following the first breastfeeding. The MIBS consists of 8 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (0-3). Items 1, 4, and 6 assess positive emotions (scored as 0, 1, 2, 3), while items 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 assess negative emotions (scored as 3, 2, 1, 0). Total scores range from 0 to 24, with lower scores indicating stronger mother-infant bonding. The tool has no specific cut-off value and has been shown to be sensitive in detecting subtle variations in early maternal bonding.

Time frame: Immediately after completion of the first breastfeeding

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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