Maternal Technology Use During Feeding and Infant Self-Regulation and Growth

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how a mother's use of technology during infant feeding affects the baby's ability to self-regulate emotions and intake, as well as growth and social behavior. The study focuses on early infancy, a time when sensitive caregiver responsiveness during feeding is crucial for healthy development. This research aims to understand the long-term impacts of maternal technology use, which has become increasingly common, especially due to recent social changes like the COVID-19 pandemic. The study involves 345 women recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy and follows them and their infants through the first year after birth. At 1 and 4 months postpartum, mother-infant pairs will be observed during three feeding conditions: no technology use, watching TV, and using a mobile device. These conditions are presented in varied orders across multiple days, with typical feeding methods maintained. Maternal habitual technology use will be tracked from prenatal through postpartum periods using an app and time diaries. Participants will take part in assessments at 1, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months postpartum. These include video recordings of feeding interactions, behavioral protocols, questionnaires, and passive sensing of technology use. Researchers will measure changes in maternal sensitivity, infant cue clarity, emotion and intake regulation, socioemotional behavior, and infant growth. The study aims to provide insights that could help develop interventions to support sensitive caregiving alongside technology use over time.

Investigating Baby Behavior and Family Technology Use Study