書誌： Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology ,2012
Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology Vol. 30, No. 1, February 2012, 77–91
Koichi Negayama, Hiroko Norimatsu, Marguerite Barratt & Jean-François Bouville
Background: Breastfeeding and weaning are strongly connected with infant–mother mutual autonomy, and hence are good touchstones to examine the characteristics of the mother–child relationship. Comparison of the weaning practicegives a framework to understand characteristics of the mother–infant relationship. Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare three industrialisedcountries concerning the relationship between feeding and weaning practicesand its reasons, mother’s perception of child care, and of breast milk and formula. Methods: A questionnaire study on weaning practice was conducted for310 Japanese, 756 French, and 222 American mothers with 4- to 20-month-oldinfants. Results: French mothers expected and had accomplished weaning at anearlier age of the infant, compared to Japanese and American mothers. Perceived insufficiency of breast milk was the leading reason for the termination ofbreastfeeding for Japanese mothers at the earlier stages, whereas back to workwas the more important reason for French mothers. Japanese mothers were morenegative in their image of themselves as mothers, whereas French mothers feltmore burdened by child-care. Japanese mothers who terminated breastfeedingbecause of perceived breast milk insufficiency were also those who were lessmotivated to breastfeed. Conclusion: Weaning is a significant framework tointerpret cultural differences in mother–infant relationship. The perceived insuffi-ciency is interpreted as a solution of conflict between the social pressure tobreastfeed and its burden.
Keywords: weaning; breastfeeding; formula feeding; Japan; France; USA