Breastfeeding, brain activation to own infant cry, and maternal sensitivity

Abstract

Background Research points to the importance of breastfeeding for promoting close mother-infant contact and social-emotional development. Recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have identified brain regions related to maternal behaviors. However, little research has addressed the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal behavior in human mothers. We investigated the associations between breastfeeding, maternal brain response to own infant stimuli, and maternal sensitivity in the early postpartum. Methods Seventeen biological mothers of healthy infants participated in two matched groups according to feeding method – exclusive breastfeeding and exclusive formula-feeding at 2-4 weeks postpartum. fMRI scanning was conducted in the first postpartum month to examine maternal brain activation in response to her own baby's cry versus control baby-cry. Dyadic interactions between mothers and infants at 3-4 months postpartum were videotaped in the home and blindly coded for maternal sensitivity. Results In the first postpartum month, breastfeeding mothers showed greater activations in the superior frontal gyrus, insula, precuneus, striatum, and amygdala while listening to their own baby-cry as compared to formula-feeding mothers. For both breastfeeding and formula-feeding mothers, greater activations in the right superior frontal gyrus and amygdala were associated with higher maternal sensitivity at 3-4 months postpartum. Conclusions Results suggest links between breastfeeding and greater response to infant cues in brain regions implicated in maternal-infant bonding and empathy during the early postpartum. Such brain activations may facilitate greater maternal sensitivity as infants enter their social world.

Natural variation in maternal sensitivity is reflected in maternal brain responses to infant stimuli.

“…This is consistent with previous findings using baby cry and visual stimuli (Atzil et al, 2012;Ho et al, 2014;Kim et al, 2011;Phelps, 2004;Swain et al, 2008;Wittfoth-Schardt et al, 2012). …”

Maternal Depression and Mother-to-Infant Bonding: The Association of Delivery Mode, General Health and Stress Markers

“…There are several studies associated with maternal bonding, postpartum depression, and delivery mode [18] [19] [20]. As shown in Table 1, there were significant differences in breastfeeding ratios among the different delivery mode groups.…”

“…The reason for the low breastfeeding ratio in the cesarean section group is unknown. Breastfeeding mothers showed greater activations in the superior frontal gyrus, insula, precuneus, striatum, and amygdala [20]. Possibly, the low ratio of early neonatal attachment in both planned and emergent cesarean section groups, as well as oxytocin secretion during labor may affect breastfeeding.…”

Breastfeeding Initiation and Maintenance Among African Americans and Blacks Enrolled in a Nurse Home Visitation Program: An Outcomes Focused Program Evaluation

“…At three to four months postpartum, breastfeeding women showed greater activations in the superior frontal gyrus, insula, precuneus, striatum, and amygdala as compared to the formula feeding mothers. This may suggest a neurobiological link between breastfeeding and the brain regions associated with maternal-infant bonding and empathy (136).…”