Investigating Baby Behavior and Family Technology Use Study

Launched by CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY-SAN LUIS OBISPO · Mar 10, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Investigating Baby Behavior and Family Technology Use Study" is looking into how mothers' use of mobile phones affects their interactions with their babies, especially during feeding times. Researchers want to understand if using technology during these important moments impacts how well mothers respond to their infants' needs and how this might influence the babies' emotional and physical development. This study aims to gather insights that could help improve mother-infant bonding and overall growth outcomes for infants.

To participate, mothers need to be at least 18 years old, in their third trimester of a healthy, low-risk pregnancy, and live within 50 miles of the Cal Poly campus. They also need to own a mobile device. After the baby is born, the study will continue as long as the infant is born on time and healthy. Participants can expect to engage in follow-up sessions that explore their interactions with their babies over time. It’s important to note that mothers with untreated medical or mental health conditions and those participating in other related studies may not qualify. This study is a great opportunity to contribute to understanding how technology use can influence important early interactions between mothers and their infants.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Eligibility Criteria
• At the time of recruitment, eligibility criteria for participants will include:
• • 18 years of age or older
• • In 3rd trimester of singleton pregnancy
• • History of healthy, low-risk pregnancy
• • Lives within 50 miles of the Cal Poly campus
• • Owns a mobile device
• After the child is born, eligibility criteria for participants will remain in the study will include:
• • Infant was born term (gestational age ≥37 weeks) Exclusion criteria include
• • Mother has an untreated medical or psychiatric condition (e.g. bipolar disorder) that could impede study participation or affect mother-infant interaction
• • Mother is participating in another interventional study that influences parenting, mother-infant interactions, feeding practices, or technology use
• • The mother is unwilling or unable to commit to longitudinal follow-ups of herself or her child
• • Infant was born preterm (gestational age \<37 weeks)
• • Infant diagnosed with fetal abnormality or medical condition that interferes with oral feeding (e.g., feeding disorder, milk protein allergy) or development
• • Infant diagnosed with developmental delay (e.g., Down's syndrome)