Feeding and nonfeeding interactions of mothers and prematures

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.