Infant Temperament and Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Cohort studyJournal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association· Aug 2026

Infant Temperament and Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Elif Bulut, Hacer Kobya Bulut

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Pediatric Gastroenterology & NutritionCohort studyClinical practiceQ2IF 1.8

Higher infant positive affect associated with longer exclusive breastfeeding duration

Infant Temperament and Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Elif Bulut, Hacer Kobya Bulut

Journal of human lactation · Aug 2026 · Q2 in General Medicine

Background

Infant temperament, a core component of Barnard's Parent-Child Interaction Model, may influence exclusive breastfeeding by shaping mother-infant interactions.

Purpose

To examine the association between infant temperament and exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in northern Türkiye (June 2019-January 2020) with 347 mothers of infants aged 0-3 months.

n = 347 mothers

r = 0.283

Results

r = 0.283

positive affect and breastfeeding duration rise together, though weakly

n = 347 mothers

More results

Infants exclusively breastfed for 6 months had higher positive affect scores ( p < 0.01).

Regression analysis showed that positive affect and maternal perception of an "easy" temperament explained 9.2% of the variance in breastfeeding duration.

More results

Positive affect significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months ( B = 0.044, p < 0.001).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Higher infant positive affect and maternal perception of an "easy" temperament were associated with longer exclusive breastfeeding. Assessing infant temperament and maternal perceptions can help tailor breastfeeding support.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pediatric nurses should assess infant temperament, adapt breastfeeding counseling, and involve fathers and family members to promote breastfeeding sustainability.

Infant Temperament and Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Infant Temperament and Exclusive Breastfeeding at 6 Months: A Prospective Cohort Study.

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