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Attention to infants in the first year
E M Baildam1, V F Hillier, S Menon
1Mancunian Community Health NHS Trust and Department of Child Health, University of Manchester, UK.
Child: Care, Health and Development
|August 2, 2000
Summary
Infant care contact time remained stable in the first year, but mothers spent less time on physical care and holding. Playtime with non-parental carers increased significantly.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
- Child Care Studies
Background:
- Understanding infant-carer interaction is crucial for developmental outcomes.
- Previous research has explored various aspects of parent-infant bonding and caregiving behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively analyze the changes in infant-carer contact time over the first year of life.
- To differentiate contact time based on caregiving activities (physical care, holding, playing) and carer type (mother, father, non-parental).
Main Methods:
- Prospective review of 158 infants' contact time with carers at 6, 13, 26, and 52 weeks.
- 24-hour log diaries completed by mothers recorded contact in physical care, holding, and play/interaction.
- Statistical analysis to identify significant changes and influencing factors.
Main Results:
- Total daily carer contact time remained consistent (6.5-73 h) throughout the first year.
- Maternal time in physical care and holding significantly decreased from 6 to 52 weeks (P < 0.05 and P < 0.0001).
- Play and interaction time with mothers and fathers showed no significant change, while non-parental carer interaction significantly increased (P < 0.0001).
Conclusions:
- While overall infant contact time is stable, the nature of maternal caregiving shifts significantly in the first year.
- Increased interaction with non-parental carers suggests a potential compensatory role in infant social development.
- Infant characteristics like size, gender, socioeconomic status, and breastfeeding duration did not significantly impact contact time.