Exploring the relationship between child temperament, maternal psychiatric symptoms, family environment and infant feeding

ObjectivesInfant temperament is assumed to be primarily innate. However, newer research suggests that maternal affection impacts ratings of temperament and environmental factors, including feeding method, can also influence infant temperament. This study investigates child temperament and its relationships with maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental variables and feeding method longitudinally in a cohort of children followed from 6 to 72 months. Differences in temperament by feeding group are also investigated. We hypothesized that maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental stressors, and impaired family dynamics would have negative impact on child temperament, whereas breastfeeding would have a positive impact on child temperament.MethodMothers' ratings of child's temperament, own psychiatric symptomatology, environmental stresses and family cohesion were obtained in 504 mother-infant dyads via rating scales completed by mothers. Infants were breastfeed (BF), fed soy-based infant formula (SF) or dairy-based infant formula (MF). Linear mixed effect models investigated the relationship of variables on child's temperament while controlling for significant covariates and repeated measurements.ResultsMothers in this study did not endorse clinical-level psychiatric symptomatology; however, when adjusted for significant covariates, higher psychiatric symptomatology significantly correlated with environmental stressors, impaired family dynamics and elevations in temperament ratings of infants' adaptability and mood. There were no lasting differences for temperament between feeding groups. However, some significant transient increases in rhythmicity and adaptability were found between SF and BF children.ConclusionPositive relationships between family environment stressors and maternal psychiatric ratings were found. Transient differences were found in child temperament based upon feeding method. This study investigates child temperament with maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental variables and feeding method in children from 6 to 72 months. Differences in temperament by feeding group are also investigated. Psychiatric symptomatology correlated with environmental stressors and children's temperament ratings. No lasting differences for temperament between feeding groups were found. image This study population was comprised of mothers with subthreshold self-ratings of psychiatric difficulties. However, ratings showed more psychiatric difficulties correlated with environmental stressors, impaired family dynamics and elevations in some temperament ratings when adjusted for significant covariates. Infants stratified based upon feeding groups (breastfed; soy fed; milk-fed) showed transient difficulties in rhythmicity and adaptability between soy and breastfed children, but these differences did not remain. Results suggest that environmental stress and subthreshold maternal psychological well-being should be taken into account when exploring child temperament and feeding practices at young ages.