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Maternal attention and preterm infant feeding
Author(s) -
Brown Lisa F.,
Pickler Rita H.,
Wetzel Paul A.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/jspn.12077
Subject(s) - developmental psychology , psychology , distress , infant feeding , medicine , clinical psychology , breast feeding , pediatrics
Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among the mother's internal working model of feeding, attentional process, feeding behaviors, and responsiveness accounting for maternal psychological distress, which may contribute to preterm infants' feeding difficulties. Design and Methods In this descriptive study, 21 mother–preterm infant dyads were videotaped during feeding. Results Surprisingly, the internal working model of feeding was a significant negative predictor of maternal feeding behaviors and maternal attention. All other correlations were non‐significant. Conclusions Given the early timing of the data collection, it is possible that mothers had not developed a frame of reference of their infant as a person. Research to help further understand factors and timing affecting maternal feeding behaviors is needed.