Interaction process analysis of mothers with their newborn infants

The analysis of early interactions between the newborn infant and his mother has been conducted by putting an emphasis on their components, their rhythm and their development in time. Ten films, involving observation of eye to eye contact sequences with 42 mother‐child couples, were analyzed. An analysis method has been adopted, in which a parallel between the child's communication behavior, essentially his visual activity, and the mother's communication behavior, is constantly drawn. 7 headings permit to analyze the mother's activities directed toward the child. The extreme variability of interaction patterns during the first week of life has been shown clearly. Specific contact modes seem to be favored by some mothers, while for others, all communication modalities are always present and are building on one another in true’ “chain” interactions. The mother's role and the child's role have been commented upon, with particular emphasis on the activity of the child, who is capable, through his gaze, to initiate communication channels in the mother.