Infant Temperament and Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months: A Prospective Cohort Study
Journal of Human Lactation, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1177/08903344261465241
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Human Lactation
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding, infant temperament, parent-child interaction model, pediatric nursing
- Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: Infant temperament, a core component of Barnard’s Parent–Child Interaction Model, may influence exclusive breastfeeding by shaping mother–infant interactions. Aim: To examine the association between infant temperament and exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in northern Türkiye (June 2019–January 2020) with 347 mothers of infants aged 0–3 months. Data included sociodemographic, obstetric, and breastfeeding-related information, and infant temperament assessed via the Turkish Infant Behaviour Questionnaire–Very Short Form. T-tests and Pearson correlations identified variables for multiple linear regression, which examined breastfeeding duration, while binary logistic regression assessed exclusive breastfeeding status. Results: Infants exclusively breastfed for 6 months had higher positive affect scores (p < 0.01). Positive affect was weakly but significantly correlated with breastfeeding duration (r = 0.283, p < 0.001). Regression analysis showed that positive affect and maternal perception of an “easy” temperament explained 9.2% of the variance in breastfeeding duration. Positive affect significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months (B = 0.044, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Higher infant positive affect and maternal perception of an “easy” temperament were associated with longer exclusive breastfeeding. Assessing infant temperament and maternal perceptions can help tailor breastfeeding support. Practice Implications: Pediatric nurses should assess infant temperament, adapt breastfeeding counseling, and involve fathers and family members to promote breastfeeding sustainability.