The interactions between mothers and premature infants during feeding and n
onfeeding periods were explored Twenty-nine premature infants and their mot
hers were observed interacting for I hour in their homes at 6 months correc
ted for prematurity. Mothers were more likely to engage in the following be
haviors involving close contact during feeding: looking at the infant, hold
ing the infant, having body contact, and rocking their infants. They intera
cted with their infants 96% of feeding time. During nonfeeding periods, the
y were more likely to engage in more distal behaviors (e.g., gesturing touc
hing, and playing with the infant) and spent only 67% of the lime interacti
ng with the infant. Infants were more likely to be alert, vocalize, play wi
th objects, express negative affect, and locomote during nonfeeding, and th
ey were more likely to be drowsy or asleep during feeding. Therefore, a com
plete understanding of interactions between mothers and prematures can only
come from examining both feeding and nonfeeding periods.