Association Between Breastfeeding And Behavior Problem Occurrence And Temperament Development In Preschool Children

Objective :To study whether breastfeeding and its duration are associated with behavior problem occurrence and temperament in preschool children.Methods: 737 children aged 4-5 years old in Zibo were chosen by stratified cluster sampling. Their feeding types during infancy , temperament and behavior development were investigated by CBCL, 3-7 years' old children temperament questionnaire and self-made inventory questionnaire. Association between infant feeding types, duration of breastfeeding and behavior problems, temperament factors in preschool children were analyzed.Results: The single factor logistic regression indicated that more breast milk than formula milk and breastfeeding: duration <1 month are dangerous factors for male behavior development (OR=1.686,1.027) . The children who were fed by more breast milk than infant formula, formula only infant, and breastfeeding duration <1 month have a. risk of behavior problem occurrence for female (OR=1. 459, 2. 59, 1. 031) . After adjusting for potential confounders family construction and education level of parents , multiple factors logistic regression analysis still showed that the factors influencing behavior are the longer duration of breastfeeding ≥9 months for male (OR=0.184.) . The factors influencing behavior are more breast milk than infant formula and the longer duration of breastfeeding≥9 months for female(0R=2. 203, 0.065) . Breast milk and more breast milk than infant formula and breast milk equal with infant formula and formula only infant are correlated with children temperament factors(r=0. 084, -0. 097, -0. 077. -0.075). The longer duration of breastfeeding ^9 months and the longer duration of breastfeeding between 4-6 months are correlated with children temperament factors(r=0. 089, -0. 153). More breast milk, more formula, formula only and breastfeeding duration for 4-6 months are influencing factors of children temperament.Conclusion: Infants who v/ere fed breast milk more than infant formula, or who were breasted for longer periods, had a lower risk of behavior problems occurrence during preschool period. Children temperament is correlated with feeding modes and breastfeeding duration. Breastfeeding should be strongly recommended and lasted for more than 9 months.