Intersubjectivity in interactions between breastfeeding infants and their mothers: a longitudinal observational study in the first year of life

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate how mothers and infants contribute mutually to breastfeeding. The spontaneous interactions of 20 breastfeeding dyads were video-recorded at home, at 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months of infants’ life. Mothers’ and infants’ gaze and tactile behaviour, facial expressions of emotion, and dyadic expressions were continuously micro-analysed. Results showed that a) the developmental patterns of maternal and infant expressive behaviours reflected age-related variations in the way infants regulate their feelings and express their interests to their companions; b) maternal gaze and tactile behaviour, infant’s negativity, and participation in a shared activity, were correlated to the breastfeeding duration. Our observations may help health care professionals to support breastfeeding through the facilitation of mother-infant communication.