Association between infant feeding method, maternal confidence and sleep quality postpartum

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Previous literature indicates that infant feeding methods at night do not affect maternal sleep. However, it is essential to understand maternal experiences in relation to the chosen feeding method since it&nbsp;is often associated with feelings of stigma. In particular the relationship with&nbsp;sleep should be investigated, since new mothers are at risk for poor mental health and sleep plays a critical role in mental health. <b>Aim:</b> In this study we investigated whether infant feeding method and maternal confidence were associated with sleep quality in mothers of infants 0-6 months. <b>Methods:</b> We recruited 428 mothers among the Nanit customer base (mean 3.8 months,SD 1.67postpartum). They reported on their night feeding methods (breastfeeding, mixed feeding, bottle feeding formula, bottle feeding pumped milk, not feeding at night), maternal sleep quality (Poor,Fair,Good) and feeding choice confidence (Not confident/Unsure,Confident,Very confident). <b>Results:</b> In agreement with previous literature, compared to breastfeeding-only mothers, mothers using other feeding methods did not report different sleep quality. As expected, mothers who did not feed their babies at night had 75% higher odds to report good sleep quality than breastfeeding-only mothers. Maternal confidence was significantly associated with sleep quality, such that mothers who were somewhat confident in their feeding methods were half as likely to have good sleep than very confident mothers and parents who were unsure about their feeding methods were 4 times less likely. <b>Conclusions:</b> Infant feeding method was not associated with sleep quality, but maternal confidence&nbsp;was a significant predictor of sleep quality in mothers 0-6 months postpartum