The Relationship Between Bonding and Breastfeeding FAMILY BONDING TIME: The Relationship Between Bonding and Breastfeeding Jennie Toland, RN, FHNS Fort Hays State University, Department of Nursing Introduction Breastfeeding provides short and long term benefits to the maternal infant dyad including reduced risk for diabetes, obesity, and heart disease (Breastfeeding, 2018). The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends infants be exclusively breastfed for six months. Healthy People 2020 reported 14.1% of infants born in 2006 were exclusively breastfed for six months. Evaluating interventions to promote exclusive breastfeeding is needed in order to ensure effectiveness and reliability in the pursuit of meeting Healthy People 2020 objectives. Research Question In healthy mother and infant dyads, what is the effect of implementing scheduled family bonding time on exclusive breastfeeding compared with no scheduled family bonding time? Purpose To evaluate the effect of maternal infant bonding on exclusive breastfeeding. Conceptual Framework Kolbaca’s Theory of Comfort applies to the evaluation of breastfeeding promotion interventions by valuing and assessing a patient’s comfort in the process of goal attainment. Methods A systematic review of literature featuring the relationship of bonding and breastfeeding. Inclusion criteria: -Published within the last five years -Implemented quiet time or family bonding time as an intervention to promote breastfeeding -Measured difference in exclusive breastfeeding pre/post intervention Results Across the studies reviewed, a higher incidence of exclusive breastfeeding was noted in mother and infant dyads which participated in bonding time compared to dyads which did not participate in bonding time. On average, exclusive breastfeeding rates increased by 18.5% after the initiation of bonding time. The analysis of these results is limited due to some studies including additional interventions to promote breastfeeding. Further analysis must be done to accurately quantify the effect of bonding time on exclusive breastfeeding. Results Continued Statistical analysis showed an average increase of 18.5% in exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge. References Breastfeeding. (2018, February 07). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/about-breastfeeding/why-it-matters.htm Eidelman, A. I. (2012). Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk: An Analysis of the American Academy of Pediatrics 2012 Breastfeeding Policy Statement. Breastfeeding Medicine, 7(5), 323-324. doi:10.1089/bfm.2012.0067 Grassley, J. S., Tivis, R., Finney, J., Chapman, S., & Bennett, S. (2018). Evaluation of a Designated Family Bonding Time to Decrease Interruptions and Increase Exclusive Breastfeeding. Nursing for Womens Health, 22(3), 219-227. doi:10.1016/j.nwh.2018.03.004 Maternal, Infant, and Child Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/maternal-infant-and-child-health/objectives Phillips, K. F., Malig, K. F., & De Pue, L. (2015). The influence of quiet timeon exclusive breastfeeding rates at discharge. International Journal of Nursing Didactics, 5, 1-6. Romine, L., Yukihiro, D., Hext, A., Klein, L., & Ortiz, M. (2013). Shhh! It’s quiet time from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Our family is bonding beyond this door. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 42(1), S15. https://doi.org/10.1111/1552-6909.12067 Ward, Laura P., et al. “Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding in an Urban Academic Hospital.” Pediatrics, vol. 139, no. 2, Apr. 2017, doi:10.1542/peds.2016-0344. Implications for Nursing Implementing interventions such as family bonding time to promote breastfeeding within the first few days of life may increase long term exclusive breastfeeding rates. Improving exclusive breastfeeding rates promotes public health, decreases food insecurity, and supports economic stability.