Breastfeeding intention and trait mindfulness during pregnancy

Lianne P Hulsbosch; Eva S Potharst; Myrthe Gbm Boekhorst; Ivan Nyklíček; Victor Jm Pop

doi:10.1016/j.midw.2021.103064

Breastfeeding intention and trait mindfulness during pregnancy

Midwifery. 2021 Oct:101:103064. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103064. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Authors

Lianne P Hulsbosch¹, Eva S Potharst², Myrthe Gbm Boekhorst³, Ivan Nyklíček³, Victor Jm Pop³

Affiliations

¹ Center of Research in Psychological and Somatic disorders (CoRPS), Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands. Electronic address: l.p.hulsbosch@tilburguniversity.edu.
² UvA minds, academic outpatient (child and adolescent) treatment center of the University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Research Institute of Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
³ Center of Research in Psychological and Somatic disorders (CoRPS), Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands.

PMID: 34161916
DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103064

Abstract

Objective: Breastfeeding has been associated with many health benefits for both infant and mother. Trait mindfulness during pregnancy may have a beneficial impact on breastfeeding intention. The current study aimed to examine whether trait mindfulness during pregnancy was associated with antenatal breastfeeding intention.

Design, setting and participants: The current study is part of a large prospective population-based cohort study among pregnant women in the south of the Netherlands.

Measurements: A subsample of participants completed the Three Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire-Short Form at 22 weeks of pregnancy and a question on their breastfeeding intention at 32 weeks of pregnancy (N=790). Moreover, the Edinburgh Depression Scale and Tilburg Pregnancy Distress scale were completed at 32 weeks of pregnancy to assess levels of distress.

Findings: Univariate analyses showed that women with breastfeeding intention during pregnancy had significantly higher scores on the mindfulness facet non-reacting (p<.001, medium effect size) and significantly lower scores on acting with awareness (p=.035, small effect size). A subsequent multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only non-reacting remained significantly associated with antenatal breastfeeding intention (OR=1.09, 95% CI [1.03, 1.15], p=.001), after controlling for confounders. Women who eventually initiated breastfeeding had significantly higher non-reacting scores (p<.001, small to medium effect size).

Key conclusions: The mindfulness facet non-reacting was found to be associated with antenatal breastfeeding intention. More research is needed to confirm our results, since the current study is one of the first assessing the possible relation of trait mindfulness during pregnancy and breastfeeding intention.

Implications for practice: Mindfulness-based programs during pregnancy could be helpful in improving non-reacting in pregnant women, which may enhance breastfeeding intention and ultimately the initiation of breastfeeding.

Keywords: Breastfeeding; Initiation; Intention; Mindfulness; Non-reacting; Pregnancy.

MeSH terms

Breast Feeding*
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Infant
Intention
Mindfulness*
Pregnancy
Prospective Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires