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The Journal of Physiological Sciences :... Mar 2023The mother-infant relation is key to infant physical, cognitive and social development. Mutual regulation and cooperation are required to maintain the dyadic system, but...
The mother-infant relation is key to infant physical, cognitive and social development. Mutual regulation and cooperation are required to maintain the dyadic system, but the biological foundation of these responses remains to be clarified. In this study, we report the maternal calming responses to infant suckling during breastfeeding. Using behavioral measures and a Holter electrocardiogram as a readout of the maternal autonomic nervous system, the maternal activities during resting, sitting with her infant on her lap, and breastfeeding were assessed. We found that during breastfeeding, mothers talked less and maternal heart rate was lower than during sitting with the infant without breastfeeding. Congruently, maternal heart rate variability measurements indicated a higher parasympathetic activity during breastfeeding. Time-locked analyses suggested that this maternal calming response was initiated by the tactile stimulation at the breast by the infant face or mouth latch, which preceded the perceived milk ejection. These findings suggest that somatosensory stimuli of breastfeeding activate parasympathetic activity in mothers. Just as how the infant Transport Response facilitates the carrying of infants, the maternal calming responses during breastfeeding may promote efficient milk intake by inhibiting spontaneous maternal activities.
Topics: Humans; Infant; Female; Breast Feeding; Emotions; Anxiety; Mothers
PubMed: 36918820
DOI: 10.1186/s12576-023-00860-w -
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal... Jun 2021In this piece, I reflect on the current model of motherhood that prevails in Western countries, often termed 'intensive mothering'. I will briefly trace the history of...
In this piece, I reflect on the current model of motherhood that prevails in Western countries, often termed 'intensive mothering'. I will briefly trace the history of this approach, focusing in particular on how theory from developmental psychology has, to some extent, functioned to reinforce it by foregrounding the mother-child dyad and emphasizing the importance of maternal practices for children's developmental outcomes. I will then consider the particular implications of this cultural approach to motherhood for women's experiences of motherhood and maternal wellbeing. Finally, I reiterate that we need to continue to challenge this western-centric model of motherhood, which risks both isolating and overburdening women, by highlighting the ways in which both women and children benefit from wider social support systems, yet also by making it permissible for women to access social support without compromising a 'good mother' identity. This article is part of the theme issue 'Multidisciplinary perspectives on social support and maternal-child health'.
Topics: Female; Humans; Maternal Behavior; Maternal Health; Mothers; Social Support
PubMed: 33938273
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2020.0029 -
First-time mothers' experiences with a web-intervention on maternal mentalisation and mental health.Danish Medical Journal Sep 2023Development in infancy and early childhood affects mental and physical health later in life. Maternal mental health and attachment between mother and child are important...
INTRODUCTION
Development in infancy and early childhood affects mental and physical health later in life. Maternal mental health and attachment between mother and child are important for a healthy development. This qualitative study explored first-time mothers' experiences with a web-based intervention aimed at improving maternal mentalisation skills and mental health, thereby affecting child development.
METHODS
Twelve first-time mothers were interviewed about their experiences using the website.
RESULTS
During pregnancy, the mothers were positive towards using the web-intervention to find information and support for emotional challenges related to the transition to motherhood. However, the interest decreased after giving birth. The mothers requested a website that covered both physical and mental aspects of motherhood and provided a possibility for mothers to exchange experiences to normalise challenges. Moreover, they wanted the website to be easily accessible on a smartphone.
CONCLUSION
First-time mothers experienced a need for emotional support during their transition to motherhood and were positive towards using online solutions to obtain this support. In order to be integrated into mothers' everyday life, the intervention should be an 'all-in-one' solution, covering both physical and mental aspects of motherhood and infancy, include a chat forum and be easily accessible by smartphone app.
FUNDING
TRYG Foundation and KEU, Capital Region of Denmark.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Not relevant.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Child Development; Health Status; Mental Health; Mothers; Qualitative Research; Infant
PubMed: 37897393
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2020The preterm birth of a child is a sudden event that can disturb the overall family system and its functioning. Many studies have been conducted with the aim of exploring...
The preterm birth of a child is a sudden event that can disturb the overall family system and its functioning. Many studies have been conducted with the aim of exploring how and the degree to which this event affects the early mother-infant dyadic relationship and maternal well-being, with often mixed findings. The present study investigates the combined effect of preterm birth and parenting stress on mind-mindedness, a parenting dimension that captures how parents represent and treat their children as separate individuals with their own mental states and activities. A hundred and ten mothers and their three-month-old infants (preterm = 54; full-term = 56) participated in the study. Mind-mindedness was assessed by coding mothers' comments about infant's mental states during dyadic face-to-face interaction. Parenting stress was evaluated with the Parenting Stress Index Short Form questionnaire. Mothers of preterm infants reported similar levels of appropriate and non-attuned mind-related comments to mothers of full-term infants. The reported parenting stress levels were also comparable. Interestingly, only mothers of preterm infants who reported higher stress in parenting showed more non-attuned comments during the interaction. The results underline the need to address preterm birth as a complex event, going beyond group differences and considering its interplay with other risk or protective factors in shaping children's and parents' adjustments and well-being.
Topics: Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Premature; Mother-Child Relations; Mothers; Parenting; Premature Birth; Stress, Psychological; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 33105872
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17217735 -
Asian Nursing Research Feb 2022This research aims to explore the psychological processes of postpartum mothers during the admission of their newborns to the intensive care unit. It is hoped that the...
PURPOSE
This research aims to explore the psychological processes of postpartum mothers during the admission of their newborns to the intensive care unit. It is hoped that the findings from this study will serve as a reference for clinical medical staff in providing individual and holistic patient care.
METHODS
Using grounded theory methodology, we collected data through semistructured, one-to-one in-depth interviews. When data saturation occurred, 12 participants were involved through the constant comparative analysis process.
RESULTS
The psychological processes consisted of a core category and three main categories. The core category was "worrying about the baby and striving to fulfill maternal responsibilities." The three main categories were as follows: "impact on the maternal role," "recognition of the maternal identity," and "exhibition of maternal role." The entire process may be affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as breast milk supply, timing of skin-to-skin contact, seriousness of the newborn's health conditions, the support system, and the style of postpartum confinement care.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the neonatal intensive care unit should adopt family-centered care, taking an initiative to empathize and care for the mother, assisting skin-to-skin contact for the mother and baby as soon as possible, maintaining established breastfeeding, providing the correct concept of postpartum care, and encouraging participation in support groups. These activities can reduce the impact of the situation on the maternal role and improve maternal identity recognition.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Mothers; Postpartum Period
PubMed: 34990888
DOI: 10.1016/j.anr.2021.12.007 -
Evidence-based Nursing Apr 2021
Topics: COVID-19; Female; Health Priorities; Humans; Maternal Health; Mental Health; Mothers; Pregnancy
PubMed: 33722862
DOI: 10.1136/ebnurs-2021-103378 -
International Breastfeeding Journal Jun 2021Breastfeeding is the single, most cost-effective intervention to reduce worldwide child mortality. Women empowerment interventions have positive impacts on child and...
BACKGROUND
Breastfeeding is the single, most cost-effective intervention to reduce worldwide child mortality. Women empowerment interventions have positive impacts on child and maternal nutritional, and health status. Women's employment and economic participation in Ethiopia have shown progress over the past three decades. However, consistent evidence indicated that maternal employment is often negatively associated with optimal breastfeeding in Ethiopia. The existence and enforcement of breastfeeding law, arrangement, and support in the workplace have vital roles in protecting employed mothers' ability and right to breastfeed upon return to work from maternity leave. This commentary compared the breastfeeding laws, policies, and arrangements in Ethiopia with international standards, recommendations, and evidence-based practices.
WORKPLACE BREASTFEEDING POLICIES IN ETHIOPIA
Public legislations of Ethiopia poorly protect the breastfeeding right of most new mothers. Ethiopian revised Labor Proclamation (No.1156/2019) incorporates most of the International Labour Organization maternity protection recommendations. However, it poorly safeguards breastfeeding rights and abilities of employed women. The provided maternity leave period is also shorter than the recommended exclusive breastfeeding duration. The revised Federal Civil Servant Proclamation of Ethiopia (NO.1064/2017) mandates the establishment of a nursery in government institutions where female civil servants could breastfeed and take care of their babies in a private room. Though, it protects only a small proportion of working mothers in Ethiopia, as majority women employed in the agriculture and informal economy sectors. So far, there are no notable workplace breastfeeding arrangements and support for employed mothers by employers and other initiatives. The ILO recommendation and experience of other middle income and low-income countries can be legal and practical grounds for establishment of breastfeeding-friendly workplace in Ethiopia.
CONCLUSIONS
The lack of workplace breastfeeding laws, arrangements, and supports in Ethiopia limits mothers' right to practice optimal breastfeeding. Policymakers, the government, and all concerned bodies should give due attention to enacting and enforcing sound laws and arrangements that will enable employed mothers to practice optimal breastfeeding upon return to work.
Topics: Breast Feeding; Child; Ethiopia; Female; Humans; Income; Infant; Mothers; Pregnancy; Workplace
PubMed: 34127001
DOI: 10.1186/s13006-021-00392-2 -
Psychosomatic Medicine Oct 2015Preconception maternal bereavement may be associated with an increased risk for infant mortality, although these previously reported findings have not been replicated....
OBJECTIVES
Preconception maternal bereavement may be associated with an increased risk for infant mortality, although these previously reported findings have not been replicated. We sought to examine if the association could be replicated and explore if risk extended into childhood.
METHODS
Using a Danish population-based sample of offspring born 1979 to 2009 (N = 1,865,454), we analyzed neonatal (0-28 days), postneonatal infant (29-364 days), and early childhood (1-5 years) mortality after maternal bereavement in the preconception (6-0 months before pregnancy) and prenatal (between conception and birth) periods. Maternal bereavement was defined as death of a first-degree relative of the mother. Analyses were conducted using logistic and log-linear Poisson regressions that were adjusted for offspring, mother, and father sociodemographic and health factors.
RESULTS
We identified 6541 (0.004%) neonates, 3538 (0.002%) postneonates, and 2132 (0.001%) children between the ages of 1 and 5 years who died. After adjusting for covariates, bereavement during the preconception period was associated with increased odds of neonatal (adjusted odds ratio = 1.87, 95% confidence interval = 1.53-2.30) and postneonatal infant mortality (adjusted odds ratio = 1.52, 95% confidence interval = 1.15-2.02). Associations were timing specific (6 months before pregnancy only) and consistent across sensitivity analyses. Bereavement during the prenatal period was not consistently associated with increased risk of offspring mortality; however, this may reflect relatively low statistical power.
CONCLUSIONS
Results support and extend previous findings linking bereavement during the preconception period with increased odds of early offspring mortality. The period immediately before pregnancy may be a sensitive period with potential etiological implications and ramifications for offspring mortality.
Topics: Adult; Bereavement; Child Mortality; Child, Preschool; Denmark; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant Mortality; Infant, Newborn; Male; Mothers; Pregnancy; Registries; Risk; Time Factors
PubMed: 26374948
DOI: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000229 -
Proceedings. Biological Sciences Jan 2021In a wide range of taxa, there is evidence that mothers adaptively shape the development of offspring behaviour by exposing them to steroids. These maternal effects have...
In a wide range of taxa, there is evidence that mothers adaptively shape the development of offspring behaviour by exposing them to steroids. These maternal effects have major implications for fitness because, by shaping early development, they can permanently alter how offspring interact with their environment. However, theory on parent-offspring conflict and recent physiological studies showing that embryos rapidly metabolize maternal steroids have placed doubt on the adaptive significance of these hormone-mediated maternal effects. Reconciling these disparate perspectives requires a mechanistic understanding of the pathways by which maternal steroids can influence neural development. Here, we highlight recent advances in developmental neurobiology and psychiatric pharmacology to show that maternal steroid metabolites can have direct neuro-modulatory effects potentially shaping the development of neural circuitry underlying ecologically relevant behavioural traits. The recognition that maternal steroids can act through a neurosteroid pathway has critical implications for our understanding of the ecology and evolution of steroid-based maternal effects. Overall, compared to the classic view, a neurosteroid mechanism may reduce the evolutionary lability of hormone-mediated maternal effects owing to increased pleiotropic constraints and frequently influence long-term behavioural phenotypes in offspring.
Topics: Female; Hormones; Humans; Maternal Inheritance; Mothers; Neurosteroids; Phenotype
PubMed: 33499795
DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2020.2467 -
Motivation of children at risk for delay in development: the impact of an intervention with mothers.Revista Gaucha de Enfermagem 2022To analyze the impact of an educational intervention with mothers on the motivation of children at risk for development delay, in the light of Paulo Freire's Theory.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the impact of an educational intervention with mothers on the motivation of children at risk for development delay, in the light of Paulo Freire's Theory.
METHOD
A qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study carried out in March 2018 with mothers of children under two years old enrolled in Reference Centers in Early Childhood Education. Semi-structured interviews were carried out after an educational intervention and the data obtained by the thematic technique were analyzed.
RESULTS
There was an increase in maternal knowledge and changes in attitudes about child motivation after intervention, enabling them to share information with other mothers and maternal empowerment to identify changes, motivation and autonomy to seek new ways to promote child development.
CONCLUSION
The educational intervention proved to be effective, as mothers began to encourage their children at home and share information with other mothers.
Topics: Child; Child Development; Child, Preschool; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Infant; Mothers; Motivation
PubMed: 36043641
DOI: 10.1590/1983-1447.2022.20210154.en