Maternal sensitivity and contingent responsiveness to infant behavioral cues is an important contributor to infants' developing capacities to self-regulate. During early infancy, feeding interactions comprise a significant portion of mother-infant dyadic interactions and high-quality feeding interactions provide both nutritive and socioemotional benefits; recent data suggest that, for many dyads, mothers' sensitive responsiveness during feeding interactions is routinely impacted by the omnipresence of portable technology. The objective of the proposed research is to better understand the development and possible impacts of maternal technology use on infant feeding interactions, emotion and intake regulation, and sociobehavioral and growth outcomes.
18 years of age or older
In 3rd trimester of singleton pregnancy
History of healthy, low-risk pregnancy
Lives within 50 miles of the Cal Poly campus
Mother has an untreated medical or psychiatric condition (e.g. bipolar disorder) that could impede study participation or affect mother-infant interaction
Mother is participating in another interventional study that influences parenting, mother-infant interactions, feeding practices, or technology use
The mother is unwilling or unable to commit to longitudinal follow-ups of herself or her child
Infant was born preterm (gestational age <37 weeks)
6
Treatment groupsSee each treatment group below.
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Lead sponsor
University of Michigan
Collaborator
Parkview Health
Collaborator