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An editorial is presented which explores the impact of couple dynamics on parent-infant bonding and child development. It discusses how relationship quality affects parental stress, the spill-over effect of couple conflict on children, and the long-term influence of couple interactions on parenting behaviors.

Introduction: Prior research has identified associations between pregnancy intendedness and maternal-foetal bonding, but no studies have examined the potential mediation of pregnancy happiness on the development of the maternal–infant relationship. Methods: In 2017–2018, a clinic-based pregnancy cohort of 177 low-income and racially diverse women in a South-Central U.S. state participated in a study examining their pregnancy intentions, attitudes and behaviours. Pregnancy intentions and happiness and demographic characteristics were measured during the first trimester assessment, and maternal-foetal bonding was measured with the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) during the second trimester. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the associations between intendedness, happiness and bonding. Results: Findings indicate positive associations between intended pregnancies and pregnancy happiness and pregnancy happiness to bonding. The direct effect from intended pregnancy to maternal-foetal bonding was not significant, providing evidence for full mediation. We did not find any associations between pregnancies that were unintended or ambivalent with pregnancy happiness or maternal-foetal bonding. Conclusions: Pregnancy happiness provides one potential explanation for the association between intended pregnancies and maternal-foetal bonding. These findings have implications for research and practice, as inquiring about mothers' pregnancy attitudes (e.g. how happy they are about their pregnancy) may be more important for maternal psychological health outcomes, such as the maternal–child relationship, than whether or not their pregnancies were intended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research shows that infants of parents who are more likely to engage in socially contingent interactions with them tend to have larger vocabularies. An open question is how social contingency facilitates vocabulary growth. One possibility is that parents who speak in response to their infants more often produce larger amount of language input, which accelerates vocabulary growth. Another possibility is that the simplicity of contingent language input is especially suitable to support early word learning. A third possibility is that more evidence of the communicative nature of language, achieved through frequent contingent responses, helps infants build a link between their own words or vocalizations and others' behaviors. This link may lead to a better understanding of the communicative nature of language and further language advances, including vocabulary growth. To distinguish between these hypotheses, we analyzed the relations between parent–infant interactions when infants were 9 months and their vocabulary size at 12 months, using a naturalistic corpus. Our findings show that the frequency of parents' verbal contingent responses predicts receptive vocabulary size at 12 months and this predictive relation is unlikely to be due to the amount of language input or the simplicity of language within socially contingent interactions. Research Highlights: Infants of parents who respond to their vocalizations more often during the first year of life tend to have larger vocabularies in the second year.It is an open question what drives the predictive relation between parents' responsiveness and infants' vocabulary; we tested three hypotheses that offer competing explanations.More responsive parents might provide (1) more language input, (2) simpler language input, (3) more evidence of the communicative nature of language (via frequent responses).We find support for the third hypothesis; the frequency of parents' responses predicts infants' vocabularies above and beyond the amount and simplicity of language input. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bonding, as parental feelings and thoughts toward a child, can be challenging for employed parents due to work-family role conflict. This study aimed to investigate concurrent associations between work-to-family conflict dimensions (time-, strain-, and behavior-based) and father-infant bonding, with marital satisfaction as a potential mediator. Employed fathers (N = 170) from Croatia who had infants (1–12 months old) completed questionnaires on work-family conflict, marital satisfaction, bonding, and questions on demographic and job-related data. Path analysis showed that the time-, strain-, and behavior-based conflict did not have direct effects on father-infant bonding. However, strain-based work-to-family conflict indirectly affected father-infant bonding through marital satisfaction. Fathers who experienced higher strain-based work-to-family conflict reported decreased marital satisfaction, negatively impacting father-infant bonding. To improve the bonding experience for fathers, the spousal relationship should be taken into account. Additionally, family-friendly policies at work should focus primarily on reducing the fathers' strain-based work-to-family conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Promoting bonding and neurodevelopmental care is an important element in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CICU); however, holding of infants by family members is inconsistently practiced. Objectives: This quality improvement study aimed to safely increase the holding of medically complex infants in the CICU by developing a holding guideline and offering simulation-based staff education. Methods: Using consensus methodology and high-fidelity simulation, an expert work group created a holding guideline and training to increase staff confidence and competence in holding critically ill infants in the CICU. The effectiveness of the intervention was tested via a postintervention survey used to assess participants' confidence in and comfort with holding critically ill infants and elicit suggestions for further support. Participants who engaged with the mannequin were surveyed to assess the validity of the simulation trainer. Results: After the intervention, participants (N = 130) reported increased confidence with infant holding (76%) and greater confidence in preparing families to hold their infants. Participants (95%) strongly agreed that the simulation enabled realistic, safe practice in holding a medically complex infant with catheters and tubes. More years of experience and engagement with the simulation trainer were associated with increased posttraining confidence. Participants cited increased resources, practice, and adherence monitoring as key supports for infant holding. Conclusions: Expert group consensus with high-fidelity simulation training is a feasible, safe, and reliable method for teaching higher risk skills and guiding protocol development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our goal was to compare data collected from 3- and 7-day Infant with Clefts Observation Outcomes (iCOO) diaries. Design: Secondary data analysis of an observational longitudinal cohort study. Caregivers completed the daily iCOO for 7 days before cleft lip surgery (T0) and for 7 days after cleft lip repair (T1). We compared 3- and 7-day diaries collected at T0 and 3- and 7-day diaries collected at T1. Setting: United States. Participants: Primary caregivers of infants with cleft lip with and without cleft palate (N = 131) planning lip repair and enrolled in original iCOO study. Main Outcomes Measure(s): Mean differences and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Correlation coefficients were high for global impressions (>0.90) and scaled scores (0.80–0.98). Mean differences were small across iCOO domains at T0. T1 comparisons reflected the same pattern. Conclusions: Three-day diary data is comparable to 7-day diaries for measuring caregiver observations using iCOO across T0 and T1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundMethodConclusionParents exposed to psychosocial adversities often experience challenges which, combined with the needs of a new-born infant, can be difficult to manage and increase the risk of poor outcomes for both parents and infants. Psychosocial adversity can disrupt the development of parental-foetal attachment to the baby during pregnancy, which can have a negative effect on parental care and quality of interaction during the postnatal period. This intervention is based on the proposition that enhanced parental capacity to mentalise and emotionally connect to unborn children during pregnancy, and better understanding about how to manage distressing infant behaviour (i.e., persistent crying and sleep problems) will: (i) promote the development of secure parent-infant attachment; (ii) improve antenatal bonding and postnatal parenting; and, (ii) reduce parental distress.This protocol is for a pilot randomised control trial evaluating a new intervention, which makes use of innovative technologies to support parents experiencing moderate psychosocial adversity (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12622000287730). The New Technology for New Parents (NTNP) intervention provides support using antenatal ultrasound scans and ‘virtual home visits’ during the perinatal period. Quantitative outcomes include mentalising capacity, parental-foetal/infant attachment, and parental competence.To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the combined effectiveness of two novel technologies (3D/4D ultrasound scans and virtual home visits) to support parents across the antenatal and postnatal periods. This protocol, which includes the rationale for this innovative intervention, addresses a gap in services for parents experiencing moderate psychosocial adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Early psychosocial interventions for preterm infants and their parents are diverse. This study aimed to structure the knowledge on psychosocial parent-infant interventions and to identify gaps in the intervention studies. Methods: We included studies on early (during first year of life) psychosocial parent-infant interventions with parent-infant relationship outcomes after preterm birth (< 37 weeks). We excluded studies that did not focus on preterm infants, failed to indicate the studied intervention and outcomes, were not written in English, were not controlled or peer-reviewed studies, or did not provide essential information for eligibility. The search included studies published between January 2000 and March 2024 in PubMed and PsycINFO. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed in reporting. Psychosocial parent-infant intervention studies were classified adapting the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR). Results: The included 22 studies reported data from 18 different interventions with preterm infants (< 37 weeks). Studies excluded preterm infants with health risks (19/22, 86%), with very low gestational age and/or birth weight (7/22, 32%), and/or mothers with psychosocial risks (14/22, 64%). Of the 18 interventions, 12 (67%) were classified as counseling, 3 (17%) as emotional support, 2 (11%) as psychotherapeutic, and 1 (6%) as educational. The parent-child relationship was assessed using 30 different methods and varying time points up to 18 months of age. Most studies (17/22, 77%) reported positive changes in the parent-child relationship favoring the intervention group. Conclusion: We identified four types of interventions to influence parenting behavior; the most used was counseling. All four intervention types showed positive effects on parent-infant relationships, although the preterm populations studied were selective, the effects were evaluated using different methods, and the follow-up periods were short. These findings indicate a need for studies with standardized methods, longer follow-up, and less-restricted preterm populations to develop guidelines for all families with preterm infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Emerging biomarker technologies (e.g., MRI, EEG, digital phenotyping, eye-tracking) have potential to move the identification of autism into the first year of life. We investigated the perspectives of parents about the anticipated utility and impact of predicting later autism diagnosis from a biomarker-based test in infancy. Methods: Parents of infants were interviewed to ascertain receptiveness and perspectives on early (6-12 months) prediction of autism using emerging biomarker technologies. One group had experience parenting an older autistic child (n=30), and the other had no prior autism parenting experience (n=25). Parent responses were analyzed using inductive qualitative coding methods. Results: Almost all parents in both groups were interested in predictive testing for autism, with some stating they would seek testing only if concerned about their infant's development. The primary anticipated advantage of testing was to enable access to earlier intervention. Parents also described the anticipated emotions they would feel in response to test results, actions they might take upon learning their infant was likely to develop autism, attitudes towards predicting a child's future support needs, and the potential impacts of inaccurate prediction. Conclusion: In qualitative interviews, parents of infants with and without prior autism experience shared their anticipated motivations and concerns about predictive testing for autism in the first year of life. The primary reported motivators for testing—to have more time to prepare and intervene early—could be constrained by familial resources and service availability. Implications for ethical communication of results, equitable early intervention, and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the clear restrictive guidelines about the use of modern handheld devices among children younger than 2 years, parents are seen to extensively use these devices with their infants. However, parents’ perceptions in this regard remain unclear and underexplored especially, in the context of South Asian cultures such as Pakistan. This qualitative study aims to explore parents’ perceptions regarding their infants’ use of mobile devices. Using the purposive sampling technique, 10 couples (i.e. 20 parents) from Pakistan were individually interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Parents with at least two children including one infant (0–2 years) were included. Single parents and parents of children with special needs were excluded. Findings revealed parents hold mixed opinions regarding the use of mobile devices. Parents expressed negative outcomes of the use of mobile devices, which were categorized into internalizing problems, emotional problems, social interaction problems, and issues in cognitive processing. They also shared positive perceptions, categorized as learning outcomes, and increased cognitive abilities. Based on their first-time parenting experiences, parents expressed both negative and positive outcomes of the use of MDs with infants. A shift in perception was observed based on their first-time parenting experiences. With increased parenting demands, participants shared constant challenges in limiting the screen time of infants, leading to experiencing negative emotions among parents i.e. guilt and worry. This study can be useful among clinicians to consider the effects of the use of mobile devices while making a neurodevelopmental diagnosis. It can also be useful in promoting learning among infants in daycare/childcare centers, in developing parenting manuals, and in developing screen time policies or guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It was reported that maternal-infant bonding failure predicts abusive parenting. Maternal-infant bonding is important to prevent child abuse. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, cortisol, and oxytocin levels, and postnatal maternal–infant bonding. Methods: The participants completed a self-report prenatal questionnaire that included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) in the second trimester. Blood and saliva were collected in the second trimester. Cortisol levels were measured in plasma, while oxytocin levels were measured in saliva. Postnatal questionnaires, including the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS), were administered at 2–5 days, 1 month, and 3 months postpartum. Multiple linear regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) were conducted for analysis. Results: Sixty-six primiparas participated in the study. Prenatal depressive symptoms (EPDS ≥ 9) and anxiety (STAI-S ≥ 42) were observed in 21.2% and 28.8% of the participants, respectively. The median cortisol and oxytocin levels were 21.0 µg/dL and 30.4 pg/mL, respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that postnatal social support, prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, and salivary oxytocin levels predicted MIBS scores at 2–5 days postpartum. At 1 month postpartum, household income, history of miscarriage, postnatal social support, and prenatal anxiety predicted MIBS scores. At 3 months postpartum, only postnatal social support predicted MIBS scores. The results of GEE showed that prenatal anxiety, oxytocin levels, postpartum period, household income, and postpartum social support were associated with MIBS scores. Conclusion: Prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, and lower salivary oxytocin levels were predicted to worsen maternal–infant bonding at 2–5 days postpartum. Prenatal anxiety was predicted to cause the same 1 month postpartum. Measuring prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, and salivary oxytocin levels may render the assessment of the risk of maternal–infant bonding failure during the early postpartum period and intervene during pregnancy possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental involvement in neonatal comfort care is a core component of family-centred care. Yet, parents experience a range of positive and negative feelings when providing pain-relieving interventions for their infants. Parents of infants who participated in the Parental touch trial (Petal), a multicentre randomised controlled trial investigating the impact of gentle parental touch on neonatal pain, were asked to complete an anonymous survey. This survey aimed to (1) explore parent-reported motivations in deciding to participate in the Petal trial; (2) understand parent-reported experiences related to trial participation; (3) understand parents' willingness to participate in future studies; and (4) evaluate parent-reported feelings while they were delivering a gentle touch intervention either before or after a clinically necessary blood test. One hundred six parents (1 parent per infant) took part in the survey. Primary motivators for participation were altruistic. Parents most frequently reported that they wanted their child to take part in the research because it has a potential benefit to babies in the future and because they wanted to improve scientific understanding. Parents reported that providing gentle touch to their children during painful procedures was associated with positive emotions, such as feeling "useful" (64%) and "reassured" (53%). Furthermore, nearly all parents (98%) were pleased to have participated in the Petal trial and would consider, or maybe consider, participating in further research studies. These results underscore the importance of structuring trials around parental involvement and providing opportunities for parents to be involved in providing comfort to their infants during necessary painful clinical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the influence of family alliance on infants’ vagal tone. Physiological studies have shown that the quality of mother–infant interactions can influence infants’ vagal tone, which is an important indicator of emotion regulation. Although research has shown that family‐level relationships have a unique impact on child development, little is known about the association between the quality of mother–father–infant interactions and infants’ physiological regulation during a family interaction task. We hypothesized that infants in families with a greater family alliance, that is, degree of coordination reached by parents when completing a task, will have higher vagal tone than will infants in families with a lower family alliance. We also hypothesized that this association would be mediated by the amount of intrusive and withdrawn parental behaviors and by the impact of these behaviors on the infant during mother–father–infant interactions. This study included 82 parents with their 3‐month‐old infants. Results showed that family alliance was associated with infants’ vagal tone during triadic interactions and that the impact of intrusive/withdrawn parental behaviors on the interaction partially mediated this association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several scientific studies have highlighted the negative impact of new technologies (NTs) on children's psychological development, both in terms of emotional and cognitive development. NTs, such as smartphones, tablets, and video games, have a significant impact on children's development, both in terms of social relationships and cognitive functions. This study aims to identify and explore the cultural models that shape children's exposure to new technologies in early childhood. This study involved 48 subjects between parents and infant educators. Unstructured interviews were conducted. Emotional Text Analysis was applied. The findings reveal the existence of three cultural repertoires (clusters): Connected but isolated (45.2), Technology education (30%), and Mistrust (24.8%). Their placement in the factorial space explains how the negative effects on children's psychological development are determined. Technology education seems to be a protective factor for the cognitive and affective development of children. These findings are discussed, comparing them with Musk's recent experiment and the rapid loss of social ties due to the lack of an educational plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background television has been found to negatively impact children's language development and self‐regulatory skills, possibly due to decreased parent‐child interactions. Most of the research on the relationship between background TV and caregiver‐child interactions has been conducted in laboratory settings. In the current study, we conducted home observations and investigated whether infants engage in fewer interactions with family members in homes where background TV is more prevalent. We observed 32 infants at the ages of 8, 10, and 18 months in their home environments, coding for dyadic interactions (e.g., parent talking to and/or engaging with the child), triadic interactions (e.g., parent and infant play with a toy together), and infants' individual activities. Our findings revealed that background TV was negatively associated with the time infants spent in triadic interactions, positively associated with time spent engaging in individual activities, and not significantly related to the time spent in dyadic interactions. Apart from the relationship between background TV and individual activity time at 8 months, these associations remained significant even after accounting for families' socioeconomic status. These findings imply a correlation between background TV exposure and caregiver‐infant‐object interactions, warranting a longitudinal analysis with larger sample sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The progression from crawling to walking in infancy is associated with changes in infant language development. One possible explanation for such change is the infant's language environment. Prior research indicates that caregivers use more action directives with walking infants compared to crawling infants, but the relations of such parental speech with infant vocabulary is unknown. Here, we present findings from day‐long home audio recordings (Study 1) and laboratory observations (Study 2) of same‐aged crawling and walking infants to explore how caregiver language, specifically action directives, were associated with parent reported infant vocabulary size. Findings in both studies indicated that caregiver action directives were associated with crawling, but not walking infants' receptive vocabulary sizes. Specifically, action directives about objects occurring when the infant and caregiver were not jointly engaged were associated with higher receptive vocabulary scores for crawling infants, but no such pattern was found for walking infants. The replication of results in distinct samples with different research methodologies strengthens the findings. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that caregiver social engagement specific to infant motoric development is related with infant language learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While research has shown that the attentional bias to infant faces predicts the quality of infant care, the antecedents of this cognitive process have been less established. In particular, it remains unknown whether the attentional bias to infant faces might be affected by the interplay between different factors, including memories of past experiences of care, adults' sex, and the experience of parenthood. To extend previous results, we examined the attentional bias to infant faces in a mixed sample of parents (n = 99) and nonparents (n = 102), and whether it varied in relation to parental status, sex, the quality of past experiences of care, and the interactions between these factors. A modified go/no-go task was used to compare the effect of adult and infant faces in retaining adults' attention. Memories of past experiences of paternal and maternal care were collected using the short form of the Italian version of the Parental Acceptance–Rejection scale. Results confirmed that infant faces induced greater attentional interference compared to adult faces. A heightened attention to all types of faces was found in parents versus nonparent. Women, as compared to men, were slower in the task performance, and allocated more attention to infant versus adult faces. Consistent with previous evidence, the attentional prioritization of infant faces varied in relation to previous experiences of care with one's own mother; individuals who remembered a more accepting maternal care allocated more attention to infant versus adult faces. Parental status did not modulate this effect, but sex of participants did. Grounded in the interpersonal acceptance–rejection theory (IPARTheory), this study provides new insights for discerning processes that might regulate global adult caregiving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eHealth technologies promote parental care practices for preterm infants. Nonetheless, we should underscore the abundant information and available apps and disparities in these resources’ quality, usability, and reliability. This article examines eHealth technologies directed at parents to care for preterm infants. An integrative review was conducted across the principal health databases (Capes, EBSCO, BVS, PubMed, Scholar, and SciELO), selecting works published from 2011 to 2022 in Portuguese and English, focusing on the use of eHealth technologies for the care of preterm infants. We identified 13 articles related to information and communication technologies in strategies for educating and promoting the health of preterm infants and their parents and the importance of evaluating and validating eHealth technologies in maternal and child health promotion. Properly validated eHealth technologies can be crucial in supporting parents in promoting health and providing care for preterm infants after hospital discharge, which, in turn, can drive the evolution of healthcare systems and improve clinical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Musical communication between adults and children is a widely studied phenomenon in the field of music education and psychology. In the research carried out to date, a variety of methodological designs have been used, based mainly on the perceptions of adults, to investigate the different aspects of these musical interactions. Thus, there is little information about the characteristics of participation in the parent-infant relationship considering both adults and children's musical behaviours. The aim of the study in which this article is framed was to identify the characteristics of parent and child participation in musical interactions involving vocal expression in the family environment, with the particularity of the data having being obtained directly from their everyday communication scenarios. The participants were five families with at least one child younger than 36 months. Data was collected by means of an audio recording device (DLP) associated with LENA® software. This article describes a tool for analysis that was designed and validated according to the particularities of the data. The MICAD – Musical Interaction among Children and Adult Descriptors – integrates characteristics of elements of both adult-child communication and the musical content present in their encounters. Thanks to the analysis provided by the MICAD it is possible to reach a deeper understanding of participants' individual behaviours and distinguish different models of musical interaction between children and adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Background Method Results Implications Conclusion Via a research–practice partnership centering community partners' needs and goals in the research design, we examined how parent, infant, and social‐contextual characteristics relate to shared book reading frequency and perceptions of Reach Out and Read (ROR), a national physician‐to‐family program.Shared book reading is associated with higher quality parent–child interactions and enhanced cognitive and socioemotional development. However, only a small percentage of families share books with their infants daily. Understanding factors related to engagement in book sharing is necessary to create developmental messaging that reflects families' experiences.Parents (N = 70) in a southeastern U.S. state were recruited from two participating pediatric clinics and responded to an online survey. Regression analyses examined significant infant, parent, and social‐contextual predictors of shared book reading frequency and perceived ROR value.Findings indicated that parents' insurance, mental health symptoms, and perceptions of the parent‐provider relationship significantly predicted shared book reading frequency. Perceived ROR value was best predicted by parents' mental health symptoms.Strengthening the parent–provider relationship and talking with families about their needs and experiences with their infants may support clinicians in partnering with families around literacy promotion and early relational health.Results suggest the value of considering socioeconomic status, parental mental health symptoms, and the parent–provider relationship when promoting early literacy and relationship‐building experiences during infancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increasing focus towards infant immunity. The development and maintenance of the immune system are significantly influenced from birth, and is shaped by early-life infant feeding behavior. Hence, the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of parents play a crucial role in shaping the immune system of infants. A total of 2369 parents across 19 cities in China were surveyed using a self-designed online questionnaire. The KAP questionnaire assessed three domains: immunity, gut microbiota, and biotics (prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics). The questionnaire also included questions on infant health. An overwhelming majority of parents (97.90%) placed high value on their children's immunity, and 40.40% of them reported an increased level of concern following the COVID-19 pandemic. Diarrhea (78.80%), colds (75.70%), nighttime crying (73.80%), regurgitation (71.70%) and food retention (66.50%) were the major health issues reported. Knowledge scores toward immunity and gut microbiota were positively correlated to attitude and practice scores, respectively. Attitude scores toward immunity, gut microbiota and biotics were positively correlated to their respective practice scores. Parental knowledge score on immunity was negatively correlated with diarrhea, colds, regurgitation and food retention. On the other hand, parental practice scores toward immunity were negatively correlated with food retention. In regards to gut microbiota, parental knowledge score was negatively correlated with diarrhea, regurgitation and food retention; parental attitude score was negatively correlated with nighttime crying whereas practice score was negatively correlated with diarrhea, regurgitation, food retention and nighttime crying. Attitude score toward biotics was negatively correlated with nighttime crying and practice scores toward biotics was negatively correlated with colds, food retention and nighttime crying. This study demonstrated that significant gaps and misunderstandings exist among parents regarding immunity, gut microbiota health, and biotics. Both public education and interventions are crucial to enhance parental knowledge and practices, thereby improving infant immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The accuracy of infant intake using test weights (TWs), the change in weight before and after an infant feeds, has only been validated in hospitalized premature infants. This study's primary aim was to identify how accurate parent infants/toddler (< 2 years old) TWs are at measuring infant intake. Methods: Data were collected from 101 paired bottle and infant/toddler TWs with 31 participants. Parents participated in the feeding sessions by completing infant/toddler TWs blinded to the researcher. Research assistants completed human milk bottle TWs. Infants were fed previously expressed human milk, initially 30 g, but volumes were increased to not exceed the scale's capacity. Results: The mean difference between the bottle TWs measured using the Tanita and OHAUS scales was not significantly different from zero (95% CI (Tanita – OHAUS): (-0.251, 0.108) g). The mean difference between infant/toddler and bottle TWs was significantly different from 0 (95% CI (infant—bottle): (-3.45, -0.915 g or -3.57, -0.95 mL). Infant/toddler and bottle TWs were in agreement with a difference of 2.18 g (SD = 6.63) or 2.25 mL within the scale stated accuracy. Conclusions: The Tanita infant digital scale accurately measures bottle TWs. The differences in parent infant/toddler TWs are within a clinically acceptable range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parenting a preterm infant can be incredibly challenging and stressful, particularly in the first year after discharge. Desirable parental role adaptation leads to appropriate parenting behaviors and parent-infant interaction, which are essential to child health and development. Aim: To investigate the level of parental role adaptation and its influencing factors among parents of preterm infants in the first year after hospital discharge according to Belsky’s parenting process model among parents of preterm infants in the first year after hospital discharge. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted using convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Parental Role Adaptation Scale (PRAS) in parents with preterm infants, the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), the Coping Adaptation Processing Scale (CAPS-15), and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, Spearman correlation analyses, and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: In total, 300 Chinese parents were included in the analysis. In the multivariate analysis, first-time parent (p  =  0.003), master’s degree and above (p  =  0.042), coping adaptation processing (p  =  0.000), residence location (towns: p  =  0.019, city: p  =  0.028), monthly family income (6000–10,000: p  =  0.000, >10,000: p  =  0.000), and perceived social support (p  =  0.001) were all significant predictors of parental role adaptation and collectively accounted for 56.8% of the variation in parental role adaptation of parents with preterm infants (F  =  16.473, p  <  0.001). Coping adaptation processing mediated the relationship between perceived social support and parental role adaptation (95% bootstrap CI  =  0.022, 0.130). Conclusion: Chinese parents of preterm infants experience a moderate level of parental role adaptation when their child is discharged from the hospital to home. Parents who are not first-time parents, have master’s degrees or above, live in towns or cities, have higher coping and adaptation abilities, have high monthly family income, and greater perceived social support have a higher level of parental role adaptation. Healthcare providers should pay more attention to parents with low socioeconomic status and encourage them to improve their coping and adaptation abilities and to utilize their formal and informal social support networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that HIV can be transmitted through breastfeeding, historically, breastfeeding among women with HIV in the US and other resource-rich settings was discouraged. Formula feeding was the mandated feeding option out of concern for breast-milk transmission of HIV, which occurred in 16–24% of cases pre-antiretroviral therapy (pre-ART) use. In January 2023, the US Department of Health and Human Services' Perinatal Guidelines were revised to support shared decision-making for infant feeding choices. Updated clinical trials' data from resource-limited settings suggest the actual breastmilk HIV transmission rate in the context of maternal ART or neonatal postexposure prophylaxis is 0.3–1%. High-income countries are reporting more people with HIV breastfeeding their infants without cases of HIV transmission. We present the reasons for fully embracing breast-/chestfeeding as a viable, safe infant feeding option for HIV-exposed infants in high-income settings, while acknowledging unanswered questions and the need to continually craft more nuanced clinical guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mary Main’s written work profoundly changed the direction of attachment research through her publications and through her teachings. The current study describes the scientific impact of her her published and unpublished work. We identified 85 such works. Web of Sciences contained k = 7,571 citations to these works from by 13,398 unique authors. The topics of citing work clustered around clinical psychological research, early dyadic relationships, romantic attachment, traumatic experiences, and the adult attachment interview itself. Based on co-citation patterns, Main shared an intellectual space with authors known for developmental psychopathology and child development, parent–child relationships, adult attachment, psychodynamic theorizing, and reciprocity in interaction and infant mental health. We discuss the impact of the “move to the level of representation” and how new ties with researchers unfamiliar with these ideas will be important to realize unused potential in the ideas and methods given to the field by Mary Main. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Supporting Transitions and Relationships (STAR Mums) program was developed in response to the clinical need for psychological intervention in pregnancy where mothers have risk factors for difficulties in the transition to parenthood. The program focuses on the developing relationship between the mother and the unborn child and aims to facilitate the normal psychological processes that are known to occur in pregnancy to prepare for the relationship with the infant and to reduce risk factors that may negatively impact this relationship. This article reports on interview data from the final follow-up of 12 high-risk participants at 12 to 14 weeks postpartum regarding their transition to parenthood and aspects of parental reflective function. These women presented with issues in developing their maternal identity and representation in the context of difficulties processing their own difficult childhood experiences. They also demonstrated some issues with limited reflective capacity in their understanding of their infant's emotional world and experiences. Though there are ongoing issues for these women, they provided feedback that the STAR Mums program included valued discussion around the changes in both self and relationships involved in parenting that helped them to prepare for their experiences of early parenthood by supporting their wondering about the baby and the changes that this new relationship may bring for them as a parent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas the maternal 'blues' has been widely researched, comparatively less is known about the "highs" following childbirth, and the relation between mothers and fathers' mood in this early period. We aimed to investigate the association between maternal 'blues' and 'highs' with paternal postpartum mood (here described as 'lows' and 'highs') in the early postpartum and their associations with the quality of child bonding. Women and their cohabitating male partners, fathers of the index child (N = 98 couples), attending an obstetric hospital unit completed questionnaires on mood, bonding and socio-demographics between the 3rd and the 5th postpartum day. We used generalised estimating equations to analyse the data. The 'blues' scores were higher in mothers, whereas 'highs' and bonding were higher in fathers. Maternal 'blues' were significantly correlated with paternal 'lows' (rs =.23, p <.05) and maternal 'highs' were also associated with paternal 'highs' (rs =.22, p <.05). Parental 'highs' were significantly associated with better baby bonding (B =.13, p =.02). Our study demonstrates moderate associations between both 'blues/lows' and 'highs' in mothers and fathers shortly after the birth of the child. Associations between mood, particularly 'highs', and bonding were similar for mothers and fathers. Greater consideration of 'blues/lows' and 'highs' in both parents is needed to promote adjustment in the postpartum period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved survival of preterm low birthweight (LBW) infants due to advances in neonatal care has brought issues such as postnatal development trajectories to the foreground. This study pools evidence from three cluster‐randomized experiments evaluating community‐based psychosocial stimulation programs conducted from 2014 to 2017 that included 3571 rural Chinese children aged 6–24 months (51.1% male, 96.2% Han Chinese). The risk of severe cognitive delay was found to be 26.5 percentage points higher for preterm LBW children than for their peers at age 2.5, with a prevalence rate of 48.3%. Results show that psychosocial stimulation interventions can improve child cognitive development at scale, with beneficial impacts on child cognition disproportionately larger for preterm LBW children, helping them to catch up developmentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The birth of a child has been associated with a decline in couple satisfaction, which has implications for the child's social‐emotional development. This study investigated the potential spillover effect on pregnant women's perceptions of their relationships with their partners of the Supporting the Transition to and Engagement in Parenthood (STEP) program, a brief trauma‐informed mentalization‐based prenatal group intervention. Participants (94% White) were recruited in prenatal clinics and through online advertisements in Quebec, Canada. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from participants assigned to the STEP program (n = 42) and those receiving treatment‐as‐usual (TAU; n = 125). Women participating in STEP reported significant improvements in their relationships with their partners compared to those assigned to TAU. More precisely, they reported higher couple satisfaction, enhanced communication, and increased interest in their partners' emotional experience. The qualitative analysis further substantiated these results, with participants reporting having involved their partners in their pregnancy, shared their insights about themselves with their partners and gained fresh perspectives on their relationships. Participants in STEP also expressed sharing program materials with their partners and considered that such interventions should be extended to expecting fathers. This study underscores the potential of mentalization‐based interventions to indirectly contribute to couple relationships, which may have positive implications for parenting and the infant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breastfeeding is a crucial public health approach that reduces infant morbidity and mortality by providing essential nutrients and antibodies, and breast milk is easily digested. Breastfeeding and donated milk serve as a preventative measure against necrotising enterocolitis. Additionally, they protect against viruses and nosocomial sepsis. When a birthing parent's own milk is unavailable, alternative enteral nutrition for preterm or low‐birth‐weight infants is either donor human milk (DHM) or artificial formula. This study aimed to understand mothers' acceptance of the donor human milk bank (DHMB) and DHM. A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The study used purposive sampling to select 23 mothers in postnatal and neonatal wards. Data collection was via in‐depth interviews using a semistructured interview guide. Manual data analysis using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) framework was used to coding. Concepts were grouped to generate themes. Three themes and nine subthemes were generated: (1) DHMBs (2) cultural perspective of DHMB, and (3) health considerations of DHM. Participants were unaware of the DHMB. Hesitancy in accepting DHM due to fear of contracting HIV was observed. Cultural beliefs are an influencing factor for use, while donation was driven by altruistic reasons, preventing waste, helping others and having previously benefited from DHM. The study found that mothers are willing to donate human milk. Willingness to donate can be increased by raising awareness about DHMB and addressing culture and safety concerns at antenatal clinics. Key messages: The study emphasises the possible willingness to accept the concept of donating and utilising donor human milk for newborns who do not have access to their mother's own milk. However, safety concerns, bonding and cultural issues should be addressed.Promoting breastfeeding and milk donation in communities requires addressing cultural and health concerns by utilising the service of community health workers.Education about safe breast milk banking before neonatal intensive care unit admission is also an important factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rate in Indonesia is lower than expected. Among the key factors affecting breastfeeding practices, paternal support has been suggested. Purpose To explore the role of paternal support in EBF failure among 3-month-old infants. Methods This sequential mixed-methods study, part of an ongoing cohort study in West Java in early 2022, included 225 infants. The parents of 3-month-old infants were interviewed. Paternal support was assessed using a 15-point validated questionnaire for a total score of 15–60 points. Multivariate binary regression was used to determine adjusted odds ratios (aORs). The qualitative exploration was based on in-depth interviews (IDIs) and forum group discussions (FGDs) following the quantitative survey. Results Of the 225 infants, 52.2% were no longer EBF. High paternal support (greater than the mean score) of breastfeeding was determined in 52.9% of cases (mean± standard deviation, 38.7±6.7 for the overall population vs. 37.5±6.3 and 40.2±6.8 for infants who were and were not EBF at 3 months of age, respectively). Low paternal support was associated with an increased EBF failure rate (aOR, 2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46–5.54). Other variables that remained as predictors in the final model were a low birth rate (aOR, 7.35; 95% CI, 1.73–31.20), negative maternal attitude (aOR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.63–6.75), lower self-efficacy (aOR, 4.82; 95% CI, 2.43–9.57), and lower maternal education level (aOR, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.03– 8.03). The IDIs and FGD observed the importance of the father’s support of the mother and EBF. The qualitative exploration revealed a lack of knowledge about EBF as a parental support barrier. Conclusion Paternal support is important for EBF. Paternal involvement in EBF planning encouraged themother to continue. Plans that include fathers in breastfeeding education may help increase paternal support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin-to-skin care (SSC) is an important part of parent and infant care during the neonatal period and into infancy. SSC should be initiated immediately after birth and practiced as a standard of care in all settings, as well as in the home. There is strong evidence that SSC has a positive effect on breastfeeding and human milk feeding in both term and preterm infants, as well as on mortality, cardiopulmonary stability, and thermoregulation. SSC reduces pain and infant stress, enhances parent–infant bonding, has neurodevelopmental benefits, and has positive effects on parental mental health. The safety and feasibility of providing SSC has been established in term and preterm infants, and SSC is recommended as best practice for all infants. The benefits of SSC outweigh the risks in most situations, and despite challenges, care providers should implement procedures and accommodations to ensure that SSC occurs as a safe and positive experience for the parent, family, infant, and health care team. This statement includes all families as defined and determined by themselves, and recognizes that health communication, language, and terminology must be individualized to meet specific family needs by the health care team. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lack of reference genes makes it difficult to conduct molecular biology research on the plant genus, Clematis L. Clematis lanuginosa belongs to Sect. Viticella DC of Clematis L. It is also an important ornamental cultivated variety parent of the early and late large-flowered groups. Studying the reference genes of C. lanuginosa in different tissues will provide a theoretical basis for the reference selection of early and late large-flowered groups of Clematis, which could promote research progress on molecular biology of ornamental Clematis. Results: The roots, stems, leaves, sepals, stamens, and carpels of C. lanuginosa were used as research materials, and seven candidate reference genes were used for quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Comprehensive stability analysis using geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder software showed that suitable reference genes in C. lanuginosa root, stem, and leaf were PP2A-2 and UBC34; and in floral tissue were UBC34, PP2A-2, and ARP7. These reference genes can be used as internal reference either alone or in combination. The pairwise variation value evaluated with geNorm software showed that two internal reference genes were needed for gene expression correction in the tissues. In the floral organs, three reference genes were required for gene expression correction. Conclusions: Our results provide a foundation for future gene expression analysis of C. lanuginosa and guidance for the screening of reference genes in Clematis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turn‐taking interactions are foundational to the development of social, communicative, and cognitive skills. In infants, vocal turn‐taking experience is predictive of infants' socioemotional and language development. However, different forms of turn‐taking interactions may have different effects on infant vocalizing. It is presently unknown how caregiver vocal, non‐vocal and multimodal responses to infant vocalizations compare in extending caregiver‐infant vocal turn‐taking bouts. In bouts that begin with an infant vocalization, responses that maintain versus change the communicative modality may differentially affect the likelihood of further infant vocalizing. No studies have examined how caregiver response modalities that either matched or differed from the infant acoustic (vocal) modality might affect the temporal structure of vocal turn‐taking beyond the initial serve‐and‐return exchanges. We video‐recorded free‐play sessions of 51 caregivers with their 9‐month‐old infants. Caregivers responded to babbling most often with vocalizations. In turn, caregiver vocal responses were significantly more likely to elicit subsequent infant babbling. Bouts following an initial caregiver vocal response contained significantly more turns than those following a non‐vocal or multimodal response. Thus prelinguistic turn‐taking is sensitive to the modality of caregivers' responses. Future research should investigate if such sensitivity is grounded in attentional constraints, which may influence the structure of turn‐taking interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAimMethodsResultsConclusionsSystematically evaluate the depth and quality of play recommendations provided in popular sources for parents of infants in the first year of life.This represents the second stage of a larger analysis of educational content available to parents. Two coders (>90% agreement) extracted and coded play activities from popular websites, applications, and books screened from a systematic online search. Depth of instruction variables were extracted. Activity quality was rated based on opportunities for child-initiated movement, problem-solving with objects, and responsive communication.4370 play activities from 214 sources were analyzed. Activities were likely to suggest specific ages for infants and that a caregiver be present. Less than half of the activities incorporated toys or provided guidance about how to position or physically support infants. Activity quality was low; most activities did not explicitly encourage parents to provide opportunities for child-initiated movement, problem-solving with objects, or quality communication.Parents may encounter a large number of play activities in popular sources, but the depth of instruction and quality of those activities could be improved. Provision of higher-quality education to parents may enhance parent-child play interactions to positively impact parent and child outcomes, especially for children at risk for delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of video calling between preterm infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their mothers on the physiological parameters of infants and mother-infant bonding. Background: Preterm infants need prolonged treatment in the NICU, and their families may have difficulty seeing their babies during this treatment process. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized-controlled, experimental study. The study sample consisted of 75 preterm infants and their mothers. The data were collected using a maternal introductory information form, a preterm infant introductory information form, a preterm infant physiological parameters follow-up form, and the Mother-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS). The study included 3 study groups: the video call group, the video call with lullaby group, and the control group. Video calls between preterm infants and their mothers were made through Zoom for 5 to 10 minutes daily for 7 days. The mothers filled out the MIBS online before and on the 7th and 30th days of the study. Results: Preterm infants in the video call and the video call with lullaby groups had higher MIBS mean scores on the 7th and 30th days of the study than their pretest MIBS scores. Preterm infants in the video call and the video call with lullaby groups had statistically significantly higher MIBS mean scores on the seventh day of the study than those in the control group. At the end of the 7-day study period, there was an improvement in the physiological parameters of preterm infants in the video call group and the video call with lullaby group compared with those in the control group, and this relationship was statistically significant. Conclusions: In conclusion, the implementation of video calls between mothers and preterm infants in NICUs had a healing effect on the physiological parameters of preterm infants and increased mother-infant bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Although research has examined early identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), few studies have found behavioral markers during midinfancy associated with later ASD diagnosis. Objective: To examine infants' play behaviors and atypical positions at age 6 mo and later outcome classification among infants at elevated likelihood (EL) and typical likelihood (TL) for ASD. Atypical positions refer to movement patterns indicative of motor delays or deviations, including atypical extension and flexion, poor weight shift and rotation, hypertonicity or hypotonicity, and the presence of primitive reflex patterns. Design: Observational cohort longitudinal design using blinded video analysis. Participants: Fifty-eight infants (41 EL infants and 17 TL infants) 6 mo of age. Results: Infants later diagnosed with ASD needed more support to engage in play at age 6 mo compared with infants who did not receive an ASD diagnosis (U = 130, z = −2.29, p <.05, r =.31). Atypical positions at 6 mo of age were not associated with a later diagnosis of ASD. Conclusions and Relevance: Play behaviors may be early indicators of developmental differences for infants later diagnosed with ASD. The results of this pilot study suggest the need to observe the quality of interaction with a caregiver and objects during early play, which may serve as potential early indicators of ASD. Plain-Language Summary: Few studies have found behavioral markers during midinfancy that are associated with a later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The results of this study showed that infants who were later diagnosed with ASD were found to have differences in play behaviors compared to infants who were not later diagnosed with ASD. Thus, early play behaviors may be an early indicator of developmental differences for infants who are later diagnosed with ASD. Infants who were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were found to have differences in early play behaviors compared to infants who were not later diagnosed with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Parent recall is the primary method for measuring positioning practices such as tummy time in infants. Concerns regarding the accuracy of parent recall have been raised in the literature. To date, no study has examined the agreement of tummy time recall measures with gold-standard methods. Objective: To assess the agreement between parental recall versus direct observation of tummy time in infants, and to explore the impact of prematurity on this relationship. Design: Cross-sectional observational study, spanning 1 yr. Setting: Participants' homes Participants: Thirty-two infant–parent dyads (19 full-term, 13 preterm), with infants ages 3 to 6 mo and caregivers ages older than 18 yr. Outcome and Measures: Home-recorded videos of infant play across 3 days were used as a proxy for direct observation of tummy time and compared with a 12-item parent recall survey. Results: Parent recall had a significant moderate correlation (ρ =.54, p =.002) with direct observation in full-term infants but was not correlated (p =.23) with direct observation in preterm infants. On average, parents of preterm infants overestimated tummy time by 2.5 times per day compared with direct observation. Conclusions and Relevance: For full-term infants, parent recall measures of tummy time exhibit an acceptable level of agreement with direct observation and can be reliably used over shorter periods. Parents of preterm infants may display a bias in recalling tummy time, leading to overestimations. To accurately assess tummy time in this population, a combination of subjective and objective measures should be explored. Plain-Language Summary: Tummy time is an essential movement experience for infants, especially for preterm infants, who are at a higher risk for motor delays. The most common way to track tummy time is through parent reports, or recall, versus a practitioner directly observing tummy time in the home. Despite the widespread use of parent recall to track tummy time, no study has examined the accuracy of parent recall versus direct observation in the home. Accurately assessing tummy time is crucial for improving and supporting health outcomes for infants. This study found that prematurity may affect the accuracy of parent recall for assessing tummy time in young infants. The authors discuss the implications of this finding and provide suggestions to guide the selection of appropriate methods to measure tummy time in clinical practice and research studies. This study found that infant prematurity may affect the accuracy of parent reports, or recall, of tummy time in the home versus a practitioner directly observing infant tummy time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the still‐face episode of the Face‐to‐Face/Still‐Face (FFSF), parents are asked to become unresponsive. However, infant–parent interaction may be irrepressible, and there is some evidence that interaction during the still‐face is associated with attachment outcome. To explore these questions, we independently coded the continuous affective valence (negative to positive) of seventy‐three 6‐month‐old infants (45 males; 36 Hispanic/Latinx; 38 White, 3 Black/African‐American, 2 Asian, 30 multiracial) and their parents (Mage = 36 years; 5 males; 30 Hispanic/Latinx; 65 White, 3 Black/African‐American, 2 Asian, 2 unknown) during the FFSF and assessed attachment at 15 months with the Strange Situation Procedure (n = 66). There was a mean positive correlation between moment‐to‐moment parent and infant affective valence, indicating synchronous affective interaction during the still‐face (d = 0.63). Higher levels of affect interaction during the still‐face episode were detected in infants later classified as disorganised compared to securely attached (d = 0.97). Findings underscore the importance of testing for still‐face interaction and suggest that this interaction may be an unappreciated predictor of infant attachment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research in the neurosciences has highlighted the importance of intersubjective relationships in promoting neuromental development of the child. Children's learning in early childhood occurs mainly in a dyadic context of an interaction with their parents: from this perspective, good dialogic parent–child communication is required to be promoted also through good educational practices. Dialogic Book-Sharing (DBS), a dialogic form of parent–child communication through the use of wordless picture books, provides a privileged 'intersubjective' space and is highly effective in promoting communication, language, attention, behavioural development and the parent–child relationship. DBS programme, successfully previously trialled in South Africa and the UK, will be applied for the first time in Italy for research purposes in Italian health, educational and maternal-child centres. Methods: A multicentre randomised controlled trial is being conducted to evaluate DBS parenting intervention for children aged between 14 and 20 months. Parent–child dyads are randomly allocated to a book-sharing intervention group or to a wait-list control group. In the intervention, parents are trained in supportive book-sharing with their children by local staff of the centres. DBS intervention is carried out in small groups over a period of 4 weeks. Data are collected at baseline, post-intervention and at 6 months post-intervention with a questionnaire and video recording of parent–child interaction. Discussion: DBS programme in early childhood could enhance the educational resources offered by Italian health, educational and maternal-child centres, in support of child's development and parenting. DBS represents a strategic opportunity for bringing about positive effects, also in terms of prevention of socio-emotional and cognitive difficulties. As such it represents a promising response to the new social, health and educational needs of the post-COVID-19 pandemic era caused by the social isolation measures. Furthermore, the application of the DBS methodology is a way to promote the use of books, and thereby counteract the excessive use of technological devices already present in early childhood. Trial registration: The trial is registered on the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number database, registration number ISRCTN11755019 Registered on 2 November 2023. This is version 1 of the protocol for the trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impaired mother-infant bonding (MIB) is associated with inadequate maternal skills and pose a higher risk for impaired learning, child abuse, and psychiatric disorders in children. There are approximately 24 million births annually in India; however, community data on MIB from India is lacking. The study reports the findings of a cross-sectional survey of 8189 mothers with children of age between 13 and 15 months from the state of Kerala, India. Bonding was assessed using the Mother–infant bonding scale (MIBS). Other correlates assessed include obstetric and birth history, chronic pain, postpartum depression and temperamental issues in the infant. The prevalence of impaired MIB in our sample was 12.3%. Those in extended/joint family, experiencing postpartum complications, supplementary breastfeeding in the first 6 months, postpartum depression and temperamental issues in infant were found to be associated with increased MIBS scores in a multivariate mixed-effect zero-inflated poisson model. Experience of impaired MIB is not uncommon among mothers in India. More needs to be done to explore these issues, especially among those with higher risk to ensure appropriate interventions to mitigate long-term consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developmental changes in functional neural networks are sensitive to environmental influences. This EEG study investigated how infant brain responses relate to the social context that their families live in. Event-related potentials of 255 healthy, awake infants between six and fourteen months were measured during a passive auditory oddball paradigm. Infants were presented with 200 standard tones and 48 randomly distributed deviants. All infants are part of a longitudinal study focusing on families with socioeconomic and/or cultural challenges (Bremen Initiative to Foster Early Childhood Development; BRISE; Germany). As part of their familial socioeconomic status (SES), parental level of education and infant's migration background were assessed with questionnaires. For 30.6% of the infants both parents had a low level of education (≤10 years of schooling) and for 43.1% of the infants at least one parent was born abroad. The N2–P3a complex is associated with unintentional directing of attention to deviant stimuli and was analysed in frontocentral brain regions. Age was utilised as a control variable. Our results show that tone deviations in infants trigger an immature N2–P3a complex. Contrary to studies with older children or adults, the N2 amplitude was more positive for deviants than for standards. This may be related to an immature superposition of the N2 with the P3a. For infants whose parents had no high-school degree and were born abroad, this tendency was increased, indicating that facing multiple challenges as a young family impacts on the infant's early neural development. As such, attending to unexpected stimulus changes may be important for early learning processes. Variations of the infant N2–P3a complex may, thus, relate to early changes in attentional capacity and learning experiences due to familial challenges. This points towards the importance of early prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses research gaps regarding the impact of professional bereavement photography for perinatal loss. Utilizing a mixed-methods research design, 504 parents completed an online survey measuring their attitudes toward bereavement photography and its impact. Thirty-one parents participated in semi-structured interviews. The results indicate a high level of acceptability and satisfaction for professional bereavement photography by parents (including those from more diverse backgrounds). Data triangulation confirmed that photos are valuable in enfranchising grief, validating parental and babies' identities and facilitating connections with others. Significant correlations were found for sharing of photos with both positive attitudes toward photography and for continuing bonds. The expression of continuing bonds in public social media spaces suggests increased social acceptance and validation for grieving perinatal losses. The findings from this study further inform practice guidelines for supporting perinatal loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the importance of the dynamic intra-individual relationship between mother-to-infant bonding and postpartum depressive symptoms has been widely recognized, the complex interplay between them is not well understood. Furthermore, the potential role of prenatal depressive symptoms and infant temperament in this relationship remains unclear. This study aims to examine the bidirectional influence of mother-to-infant bonding on postpartum depressive symptoms within individuals and to elucidate whether prenatal depressive symptoms and infant temperament would influence deviations from stable individual states. Methods: Longitudinal data were collected from 433 women in early pregnancy. Of these, 360 participants completed the main questionnaires measuring impaired mother-to-infant bonding and postpartum depressive symptoms at least once during the postpartum period. Data were collected at early and late pregnancy and several postpartum time points: shortly after birth and at one, four, ten, and 18 months postpartum. We also assessed prenatal depressive symptoms and infant temperament. A random-intercept cross-lagged panel model was used. Results: Within-individual variability in mother-to-infant bonding, especially anger and rejection, significantly predicted subsequent postpartum depressive symptoms. However, the inverse relationship was not significant. Additionally, prenatal depressive symptoms and difficult infant temperament were associated with greater within-individual variability in impaired mother-to-infant bonding and postpartum depressive symptoms. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the within-individual relationship between mother-to-infant bonding and postpartum depressive symptoms is likely non-bidirectional. The significance of the findings is underscored by the potential for interventions aimed at improving mother-to-infant bonding to alleviate postpartum depressive symptoms, suggesting avenues for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caring relationships among families and providers are at the heart of high-quality early care and education (ECE). This study examines relationships between parents and providers in a nationally representative sample of infants and toddlers and their families (N = 527) enrolled in the two-generation Early Head Start (EHS) program in the U.S. EHS' primary services include home visiting and center-based early education, taking a whole family approach to provide comprehensive services within caring and trusting relationships. Using weighted lagged regression models, we found that parent and provider reports of their positive relationships with one another at age 2 years were related to some child and family outcomes at the end of their EHS experience at age 3 years. Providers who reported better relationships with parents rated children as having lower behavior problems and enhanced social competence, language comprehension, language production, and home environments. Parents who reported better relationships with providers also reported lower parenting stress and family conflict. Findings suggest that caring relationships between providers and parents are a key part of high-quality ECE within an environment dedicated to an ethic of care not just for children, but for the whole family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kangaroo care (KC), skin-to-skin contact between infants and caregivers, is encouraged in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to support health through improved weight, growth, and infant–maternal attachment while reducing the incidence of sepsis and infant pain. However, the optimal duration and frequency of KC to maximize health outcomes is unknown. Given parents' time stressors, identifying optimal KC time is critical. A literature review was undertaken on May 28, 2021 via querying the PubMed database from January 1, 1995, to May 28, 2021, regarding KC and NICUs with 442 results. Eleven studies met the eligibility criteria of (1) comparative KC between infants and adult caregivers in NICUs as a randomized controlled trial, (2) peer-reviewed articles in English, (3) study subjects ≥5, (4) health outcomes, and (5) KC sessions >1. Infant physical growth parameters, infant neurodevelopment, infant stress via salivary cortisol levels, and breastfeeding outcomes appear to increase with KC as compared with standard care (SC) without KC. Improvements were observed with longer KC duration, 2 h/d as compared with 1 h/d, for neurodevelopment and breastfeeding outcomes, but no greater improvement with longer KC duration was shown for reducing infant stress through salivary cortisol levels. Regarding maternal stress, the influence of KC duration showed mixed Parental Stressor Score: NICU scores. Further study on the impact of KC duration and frequency on health outcomes and dose–response relationship would help determine how much and how frequent KC is needed to improve specific health outcomes for infants and their mothers. Key Points Data on kangaroo care duration's health impacts is lacking. Establishing dose–response for kangaroo care is needed. Kangaroo care for longer improves some but not all outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning to descend stairs requires motor and cognitive capacities on the part of infants and opportunities for practice and assurance of safety offered by caregivers. The American Academy of Pediatrics prescribes the age strategy to teach toddlers to safely descend stairs but without much consideration for individual differences in infants' skills or caregivers' techniques. The purpose of this study was to observe the natural ways in which caregivers teach infants to descend stairs at home and the extent to which infants abide. Of particular interest was to examine the dynamic nature of caregivers' teaching and infants' learning over the session with attention to individual differences. Dyads (N = 59) were videorecorded on Zoom for 10 min interacting on stairs at home in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Italy, and Spain. Infants (n = 30 girls, 29 boys; 13-month-olds ± 1 week) were novice walkers (M = 2.04 months walking experience). Caregivers used a variety of teaching strategies and focused on "backing" and "scooting." Infants were more likely to heed caregivers' guidance when caregivers provided hands-on support and verbal encouragement suggesting infants were engaged and responsive to caregivers' overtures. Infants' walking experience predicted change in descent strategy over the session. Although infants did not show evidence of learning over the session, consistent caregiver instruction suggested caregivers were persistent, if not effective, teachers. Teaching and learning motor skills in a potentially risky task creates a unique opportunity for interaction, allowing infants and caregivers to learn from one another. Public Significance Statement: This work contributes to the general body of knowledge regarding infant motor development and problem solving in specific contexts. This study is one of the first to explore the nature of caregiver-infant interaction on stairs and identifies caregiver teaching strategies and infant motor characteristics that are associated with safe infant stair descent. By doing so, we hope to encourage further investigation of infant behavior in this context, upon which recommendations to caregivers for safe infant descent may be based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite evidence on their short-term effectiveness, the long-term effects of group-based parenting interventions are unclear, programs are hard to scale up, and effects on parents of infants and toddlers are mixed. Objective: We evaluate the impact of a parenting intervention, Crianza Positiva, that combines 8 group sessions with a 6 months e-messaging component. The program targets parents of infants and toddlers, is designed to be scalable by using low-cost delivery formats and a structured framework, and relies on a "top up" module to sustain the effects. Methods: We analyze video-recordings of a free play activity to rate the quality of child-caregiver interaction. We compare outcomes across three arms: (a) workshop + messages, (b) workshop only, and (c) a weekly unstructured playgroup. Because assignment to treatment is not random, we use inverse probability weighting to address initial unbalances and differential attrition. Our sample includes 442 disadvantaged families with infants/toddlers enrolled in early childhood centers in Uruguay. Results: Results show significant and sustained benefits of the program on child-caregiver interaction quality, with medium effect sizes in the affective (d = 0.44) and teaching dimensions (d = 0.59). Conclusions: The data suggest that group parenting interventions may help improve the childrearing environment among parents of children aged 0–2. Due to its protocolized design and the low cost of integrating it into early-childhood centers, the program has a potential for widespread implementation. Still, definitive conclusions are precluded by the evaluation design. Future randomized designs are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infants are vulnerable to several health problems and cannot express their needs clearly. Whenever they are in a state of urgency and require immediate attention, they cry, which is a form of communication for them. Therefore, the parents of the infants always need to be alert and keep continuous supervision of their infants. However, parents cannot monitor their infants all the time. An infant monitoring system could be a possible solution to monitor the infants, determine when the infants are crying, and notify the parents immediately. Although many such systems are available, most cannot detect infant cries. Some systems have infant cry detection mechanisms, but those mechanisms are not very accurate in detecting infant cries because the mechanisms either include obsolete approaches or machine learning (ML) models that cannot identify infant cries from noisy household settings. To address this limitation, in this research, different conventional and hybrid ML models were developed and analyzed in detail to find out the best model for detecting infant cries in a household setting. A stacked classifier is proposed using different state‐of‐the‐art technologies, outperforming all other developed models. The proposed CNN‐SCNet's (CNN‐Stacked Classifier Network) precision, recall, and f1‐score were found to be 98.72%, 98.05%, and 98.39%, respectively. Infant monitoring systems can use this classifier to detect infant cries in noisy household settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]