Infant Temperament in Exclusive Breastfeeding and Dominant Formula Feeding

Introduction: Infancy is the most sensitive phase of child growth and evolution. Nutrition at this stage is very important in the development of the child and in the formation of his personality and temperament. The aim of this study was to compare the temperament of infants in two group exclusive breastfeeding and dominant formula feeding. Method: This is a comparative descriptive study. The study population was 60 infants aged 3 to 12 months who, with their mothers, were visited in the health centers of Isfahan in the second half of the 2018 year. The number of samples in each group of infants with exclusive breastfeeding and dominant formula feeding was calculated 30 and sampling was continued in two groups until complete by available method. Data collection tool was temperament evaluation questionnaire IBQ-R Rutbart (Infant Behavior Questionnaire- Revised ) (1981) with 3 dimensions, including negative sentiment, positive sentiment and adjustment.  Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22, independent t-test and Mann-Whitney test. Results: The results showed that in the scale of negative sentiment, average points of the exclusive breastfeeding was (3/57±0/67) lower than the dominant formula feeding (4/30±0/64) (p<0/05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in surgenc /extraversion and orienting/regulation dimensions (p>0/05). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that in breastfeeding promotion programs to compare infant's feeding methods in addition to emphasizing on infant's physical health, consider also changes in infant's temperament for reduce children's emotional and behavioral problems and their mental health. Also if infants need to consume formula, mothers will be able to adapt with more information and less stress.