Emotional experiences during breastfeeding are associated with circadian time point, sleep duration and perceived social support

Objectives: Breastfeeding mothers report experiencing a wide range of emotions. This variation may be more pronounced between daytime and nighttime breastfeeding sessions due to circadian time point and sleep deprivation. External factors, including social support, may further contribute to the emotions of a breastfeeding mother. This study aimed to investigate the emotional experience of breastfeeding mothers; to compare the differences in their emotions during the daytime compared to the nighttime; and to assess the associations between sleep duration prior to nighttime breastfeeding session, perceived social support and affective states while breastfeeding. Design: Breastfeeding mothers completed general, daytime (12am-3pm) and nighttime (12am-3am) online surveys. Setting/Participants: Between August 2020 and July 2021, 107 breastfeeding women completed all three surveys.Measurements: Emotional experiences were measured by the Discrete Emotions Questionnaire; sleep duration and emotions were reported as free text; and perceived support levels from family members were measured on a 9-point Likert-type scale.Results: Mothers reported a more positive emotional experience during the daytime breastfeeding session compared to the nighttime. Mothers felt more easygoing, happy, chilled out, satisfied, enjoyment and liking during the daytime; however, nighttime breastfeeding sessions were associated with stronger feelings of anger and madness. Mothers who got more sleep prior to the nighttime breastfeeding session reported a more positive nighttime experience. Stronger support levels were associated with more positive emotions and less negative emotions while breastfeeding.Conclusions: Results support a variation in the emotional tone of breastfeeding mothers at different points in the circadian period and highlight the importance of sleep and social support.