Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ,Azza Abul-Fadl,Hanin Al-Jawaldeh ,
Early Breastfeeding Practices Promote Effective Parenting: An Analytical Study in Countries exposed to Conflict in the Middle East
Anesthesia and Clinical Research
2020
2733-2500
http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.ACR.2020.01.01
https://www.sciencerepository.org/early-breastfeeding-practices-promote_ACR-2020-1-101 
Abstract: Background: Breastfeeding is nurture and nutrition for every child, but the extent to which it influences
parenting is controversial.
Aim: To examine the effect of early breastfeeding practices in relation to child discipline and childcare.
Methods: Global data from was examined from 52 provinces in four countries. The data included: early
initiation of breastfeeding [EIBF] in the first hour and the first day, offering prelacteals, exclusive
breastfeeding [EBF] and continued breastfeeding [CBF]. Parenting practices included exposure to
psychological aggression and physical punishment and attitudes to physical punishment for rearing in
children 1-14 years. Childcare indices included child left alone, with care of a child less than 10 years and
with inadequate caregiver. Correlative studies and descriptive statistical analysis were done.
Results: EBI within the first hour of birth was significantly correlated with non-violent discipline [r0.5]
P<0.05 and being left alone in the past week [r0.7] P<0.01 and inversely with psychological aggression [r0.4] and minor physical punishment [r-0.4] at P>0.05. EBF inversely correlated with psychological [r-0.5]
and minor physical punishment [r-0.4] and being left alone in the past week [r-0.5] at P<0.05. Longer
duration of breastfeeding for 12 and 24 months correlated inversely with severe physical punishment [r-0.6
at P<0.01 and r-0.5 at P<0.05 respectively]. CBF for two years was also negatively correlated with being
left alone [r0.5 at P>0.05]. Variations between countries in parenting styles and adequacy of childcare
related to breastfeeding patterns.
Conclusions: Breastfeeding is protective against violent parenting styles and enhances adequacy of
childcare. Exposure to operative delivery with anesthesia may interfere with EIBF and negatively influence
parenting.
Keywords: Initiation of breastfeeding, prelacteal feeds, exclusive breastfeeding, continued breastfeeding, childcare, parenting, punishment, psychosocial aggression