Mother-infant feeding interaction and weight gain in the first month of life.

This study tests the hypothesis that maternal and infant behaviors during a feed at one month of life co-varies with the infant's weight gain in the 30 days since birth. Thirty mothers-infant pairs were observed via videotape. Each of the tapes was analyzed, with a behavioral coding system adapted for this purpose. A stepwise regression statistical model showed that a statistically significant portion of the weight gain variance was explained by nutritionally functional and social communication behaviors in the mother and social communication behaviors in the infant. These data suggest that a lack of synchrony between the caretaker and the infant during feeding may imperil the infant's growth process.