Psychosomatic interaction between mother and infant during breast feeding

Within the context of a major research project on the impact of mother's depression on breast feeding, this study presents a qualitative analysis of mother-infant interaction during a single breast feeding situation. From the holistic perspective there emerged five central themes of interaction, which all displayed a different purpose. Mothers had quite often difficulties in psychosomatic interaction during a phase of hungry eating. More detailed analysis revealed some interesting differences between the depressed and nondepressed mothers.