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.