Breastfeeding and the quality of the sibling relationship

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between the type of breastfeeding practiced and the quality of the sibling relationship.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Method: Participants were recruited between July and December 2019 through parenting associations and parenting support groups. They comprised a total of 149 mothers with two children between 2 and 7 years of age, who had practiced the same type of feeding with both children. Sibling relationship quality was assessed using the conflict/rivalry and warmth dimensions of the Parents' Expectations and Perceptions of Sibling Relationships with their Children (PEPC-SRQ) questionnaire. Analyses of covariance were used to identify any differences in these two dimensions of the PEPC-SRQ between the study groups (formula feeding, breastfeeding, non-prolonged breastfeeding, prolonged breastfeeding and tandem breastfeeding).

Results: No significant differences were observed between any of the groups regarding the conflict/rivalry dimension; in contrast, significant differences were found in the warmth dimension between the breastfeeding and formula feeding groups.

Conclusions: Breastfeeding, regardless of its duration and simultaneity, was associated with higher scores in the dimension of warmth of the sibling relationship.

Implications for practice: This information should be considered by healthcare professionals when providing advice on breastfeeding.

Keywords: Formula feeding; prolonged breastfeeding; rivalry; sibling relationship; tandem breastfeeding; warmth.