Does Functionality Appreciation Mediate the Relationship Between Breastfeeding Attitudes and Breastfeeding Intentions?

Background: This study aimed to contribute to the growing empirical interest in the role of positive body image in the context of breastfeeding. Research Aim: We examined the association between positive attitudes toward breastfeeding and breastfeeding intentions among postpartum women and investigated the mediation of functionality appreciation. Method: A total of 305 women who had given birth within the past 1 to 3 months (M = 34.11 years) participated in the study. Women completed a questionnaire assessing breast-feeding attitudes, appreciation of breastfeeding functionality, breastfeeding intentions, previous breastfeeding experience, as well as Body Mass Index and sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics. A mediation model was used to examine direct and indirect associations between attitudes toward breastfeeding, breastfeeding intentions, and functionality appreciation. Results: Results showed significant associations between positive attitudes towards breastfeeding, breastfeeding intentions, and functionality appreciation. Positive attitudes toward breastfeeding were positively associated with breastfeeding intentions (β = 0.63, p < 0.001) and with functionality appreciation (β = 0.51, p < 0.001), with functionality appreciation accounting for a significant indirect association (β = 0.21, 95% CI [0.14, 0.29]). Finally, previous breastfeeding experience was positively associated with breastfeeding intentions (β = 0.15, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study marks the initial attempt to examine the significance of functionality appreciation in postpartum women, highlighting potential associations between breastfeeding attitudes and breastfeeding in-tentions. These findings may offer preliminary insights for future research and for inform-ing the development of targeted interventions, although further evidence from more di-verse populations is needed.