The Relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Breastfeeding Success in Lactating Mothers

Introduction: Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to promote children s health. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between emotional intelligence and success of breastfeeding. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study in referring of multiple health centers in Shiraz, sample of 150 mothers with children aged one to three 3 years were selected using convenience sampling method and divided to breast fed and formula fed children groups, they obtained Bar-on and demographic questionnaire .Data were analyzed by SPSS software and Significant level for all tests was considered as 5%. Results: Mean age of mothers was 28.8±4.3 and the mean age of children was 19.80±5.8 years in breast fed and  18.98±6.25 in formula fed infants (p=0.406)   ; 45.3% of them were high school graduates or low literate, and the rest of them were college educated. 71.3% of the women were housewives and most of them were nulliparous. 71.3% of all women had cesarean delivery. The mean duration of breastfeeding in children  were 14.80±4.35 month in breast fed and  3.98±1.25 month in formula fed infants (p<0.001) . In terms of the average age, education and child birth rank, the two groups were not significantly different. Emotional Intelligence in the group of lactating mothers was significantly higher than non-lactating mothers (347 versus 296; P<0.001). Conclusion: Mothers who success in breastfeeding have higher EQ than non-lactating mothers. Since it is possible to identify and promote EQ, therefore, we can help to breastfeeding success of mothers.

Keywords:

Breastfeeding , breastfeeding success , Emotional intelligence (EI) , Emotional Quotient (EQ)