Mother-infant interaction is influenced by the amount of holding in preterm infants

OBJECTIVES: 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.