Developmental Differences in Interactional Characteristics of Mothers and Their Children with Failure to Thrive

Observed interactional characteristics during feeding sessionsamong 68 pairs of low-income mother-child dyads. Half of thechildren were experiencing nonorganic failure to thrive (NOFTT)and half were growing adequately. Children were spoon-fed andranged in age from 8 to 26 months. Across NOFTT and comparisongroups, toddlers (13.5 to 26 months) were perceived by theirmothers as more difficult than were infants (8 to 13.4 months).Although there were few differences between the NOFTT and comparisongroups on interactional characteristics overall, mothers ofNOFTT toddlers were more hostile, intrusive, and less flexiblethan mothers of NOFTT infants and there was more tension andanger in their interactions. Maternal behavior did not differamong the comparison group. Mothers of NOFTT children may experiencedifficulties in responding to the increasing demands for autonomyduring feeding among toddlers. Finally, when the interactionwas observed in dyadic terms, toddlers in both groups tendedto be more active and involved than infants.