The Role of Motor Coordination, ADHD-Related Characteristics and Temperament among Mothers and Infants in Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Cohort Prospective Study

Although exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of life, breastfeeding rates are low. Motor skills and ADHD-related characteristics have not yet been examined as breastfeeding barriers. The aim of this study was to explore whether mothers’ and infants’ motor skills, mothers’ ADHD-related characteristics and infants’ temperament are associated with exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months after birth. Participants were 164 mothers and their infants recruited 2 days after birth. Mothers completed a demographic and delivery information questionnaire, the Infant Feeding Intentions Scale and the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale. At 6 months, mothers completed the Adult DCD (developmental coordination disorder)/Dyspraxia Checklist, the Adult ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) Self-Report Scale Symptom Checklist-v1.1, and the Infant Characteristics Questionnaire, and provided information about their breastfeeding status. They were then divided into two groups accordingly: EBF (exclusive breastfeeding) and NEBF (non-exclusive breastfeeding). Infants were observed using the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. At 6 months, NEBF mothers reported higher prevalence of DCD (10.2% vs. 1.9%, χ(2) = 5.561, p = 0.018) and ADHD (20.3% vs. 8.6%, χ(2) = 4.680, p = 0.030) compared to EBF mothers. EBF infants demonstrated better motor coordination (t = 2.47, p = 0.016, d = 0.511), but no temperament differences compared to NEBF infants. Maternal DCD, ADHD and poor infant motor coordination are associated with non-exclusive breastfeeding and may become exclusive breastfeeding barriers. These findings may assist in identifying women at risk of not exclusively breastfeeding and encourage tailoring interventions for achieving higher exclusive breastfeeding rates.