Mother–Infant Yoga: A Novel Approach to Improving Infant Sleep, Maternal–Infant Bonding, and Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy

Background: Positive sensory and movement experiences that the infant is exposed to in a safe and familiar environment help them cope with future stressors and support physiological regulation. Aim: To evaluate the effect of mother–infant yoga on sleep, maternal–infant bonding, and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Method: A randomized-controlled trial was conducted with 124 mother–infant pairs between March 2023 and January 2024. The intervention group practiced mother–infant yoga for 4 weeks, while the control group received routine care. Results: After the intervention, the breastfeeding self-efficacy score was significantly higher in the yoga group (58.34 ± 6.27) than in the control group (46.32 ± 6.41; P < .001). Maternal–infant bonding scores were also significantly higher in the yoga group (20.44 ± 1.89 vs 18.36 ± 2.06; P = .009). Night sleep duration was significantly longer in the yoga group (8.35 ± 1.00 hours) compared to the control group (7.01 ± 1.32 hours; P < .001). Conclusion: Mother–infant yoga significantly improved breastfeeding self-efficacy, maternal–infant bonding, and infant sleep duration. Further studies are warranted to explore its long-term effects and broader applicability.