The Relationship Between Childbirth Education and Mother and Infant Characteristics During Feeding.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among maternal and neonatal characteristics in two groups of women, those who had participated in childbirth education class (CE) and those who had not, and their newborn children. Two groups of eight mothers and their first born infants, matched on several demographic and medical factors, were observed during a scheduled feeding session 2 to 3 days after birth. Maternal sensitivity and provision of stimulation were rated. Infants' responsivity was rated during feeding and assessed by means of a Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale. Overall, sensitive mothers tended to have responsive infants. CE mothers did not provide different types or amounts of stimulation to their infants but were rated as more sensitive. Patterns of correlations suggested that the more sensitive rating was a result of these mothers' basing their behavior on the infants' specific behaviors shown during the feeding session, rather than on more global infant characteristics. Four tables present data. (Author/BH)