Mother-infant interaction is influenced by the amount of holding in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between infant crying, holding and mother-infant interaction.


METHODS
The study groups included 30 firstborn Finnish preterm infants (<1501 g or <32 weeks), and their 36 full-term controls. Caregiver's holding and infant's crying behavior was assessed using Baby Day Diary at 5 months of corrected age. The quality of mother-infant interaction was assessed using PC-ERA at 6 and 12 months of corrected age.


RESULTS
The results showed that longer duration of holding in home environment was associated with better quality of mother-infant interaction at 6 and 12 months of corrected age in preterm infants. Preterm infants cried more often and were held more than full-term infants. The frequency of crying was associated with the duration of holding in preterm infants. Mother-infant interaction was comparable between the groups of preterm and full-term infants.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results underline the importance of caregiver's physical closeness for the quality of the mother-infant interaction in preterm infants. Prematurity itself does not necessary affect the quality of mother-infants interaction in a non-risk population.
Korja
Riikka
R
Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. riikka.korja@utu.fi
Maunu
Jonna
J
Kirjavainen
Jarkko
J
Savonlahti
Elina
E
Haataja
Leena
L
Lapinleimu
Helena
H
Manninen
Hanna
H
Piha
Jorma
J
Lehtonen
Liisa
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003448:Crying / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*