The relationship between postpartum women’s perceptions of insufficient milk and mother-baby attachment

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between postpartum women’s perceptions of insufficient milk and mother-baby attachment levels. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between January 18, 2024, and May 1, 2024, at a university hospital with 235 postpartum women who had babies aged 0–6 months and were breastfeeding. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a Personal Information Form, The Perception of Insufficient Milk Scale (PIMS), and The Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). In addition to descriptive statistics, parametric and non-parametric tests and correlation analysis were used in the analyses. A multivariable linear regression analysis with HC3 robust standard errors was also performed, with MIBS total score as the dependent variable and PIMS total score as the primary independent variable, adjusting for potential confounding factors. A statistical significance value of p < .05 was accepted. The mean age of the postpartum women was 28.53 ± 4.72 (min = 18, max = 43) years. It was determined that 80.9% of the women had planned pregnancies, 62.6% had cesarean deliveries, and 87.7% evaluated their last delivery positively. It was determined that 87.2% of postpartum women believed they produced enough milk to feed their babies. The mean total score for the PIMS was 35.65 ± 6.00 (5–46), and the median total score for the MIBS was 1.00 (0.00–2.00). A negative, moderate, and statistically significant relationship was found between the total scores of the PIMS and MIBS (rs= -0.437; p < .001). In the multivariable analysis, higher PIMS scores remained significantly associated with lower MIBS scores (B = − 0.122, 95% CI: −0.192 to − 0.052, p = .001), indicating that a stronger perception of milk adequacy was associated with fewer mother-infant bonding problems after adjustment for potential confounding factors. The model explained 49.5% of the variance in MIBS scores (R² = 0.495; adjusted R² = 0.472; p < .001). Higher PIMS scores, indicating a stronger perception of milk adequacy, were associated with fewer mother-infant bonding problems, and this association remained significant after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Pregnancy planning status, employment status, and perception of the birth experience were also significantly associated with MIBS scores in the adjusted model, while educational status showed a non-linear pattern across categories. Regular monitoring of mothers’ perceptions of milk adequacy during the postpartum period and early support for mothers experiencing bonding difficulties are recommended.