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Exploratory study of bed-sharing and maternal-infant bonding.
- Source :
- Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health; Aug2015, Vol. 51 Issue 8, p820-825, 6p, 1 Illustration
- Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Aim Bed-sharing with an infant is controversial due to the increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy versus postulated benefits of the practice such as enhanced breastfeeding and maternal-infant bonding. This study evaluated the association between bed-sharing and maternal-infant bonding. Methods Four hundred randomly selected mothers who had delivered in a large maternity unit in Auckland and whose infants were between the ages of 6 weeks and 4 months were sent a postal questionnaire asking about their bed-sharing practices last night, usually, and in the last 2 weeks. Included in the questionnaire were factors 1 and 2 questions from the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire to assess maternal-infant bonding. Results Responders totalled 172 (43%), and infants were a mean age of 11 weeks. Fourteen per cent of infants slept in a bed-sharing situation last night, 8% usually, and 41% had slept with an adult in the last 2 weeks. Nine per cent of mothers scored above the cut-off for factor 1 for impaired maternal-infant bonding. Infants of these mothers were more likely to bed-share last night, usually, and in the last 2 weeks, and were less likely to use a pacifier and to breastfeed. Bed-sharing mothers scored more highly on individual questions relating to being annoyed or irritated by their baby. Conclusion There is an inverse association between bed-sharing and maternal-infant bonding, which is contrary to the often expressed belief that bed-sharing enhances maternal-infant bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10344810
- Volume :
- 51
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 108611037
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12833