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Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test a coding system, the Maternal–Infant Synchrony Scale (MISS), for assessing synchrony of feeding interaction between a mother and her preterm infant. The secondary aim was to describe mother and preterm infant synchrony during feeding and the change over time. Methods: A descriptive, longitudinal design using data collected during an earlier study was employed, using a sample dataset from 10 mother–infant dyads that completed three data collection points. The Noldus Observer XT 8.0 (Noldus Information Technology b.v., 2006) was used for data review and coding. The MISS was created from pilot data and definitions further refined. The frequency of occurrence for select behaviors and the percentage of time behaviors occurred during the feeding and the changes in behaviors over the three observations periods were calculated. Results: The synchrony tool developed in this study demonstrates that changes occur in mother and infant behavior over time. Mothers were attentive and focused during feedings and monitored their infants’ sucking intently but there was little interaction between the dyad. Infant attempts at interaction were greater than the mother attempts to engage her infant. The influence of infant maturation on feeding behaviors was evident across observations. Conclusion: This study revealed behaviors that are descriptive of the interaction and can be used to develop interventions that would support the developing relationship. Use of the MISS with a larger sample size and a cohort of healthy, term newborns is needed to establish the MISS as a valid and reliable measure of synchrony. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: A first step to advance stress science research in young children is understanding the relationship between chronic stress in a mother and chronic stress in her child. One non-invasive measure of chronic stress is hair cortisol. However, little is known about strategies for hair sampling in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. To address prior limitations, the purpose of this study was to understand the feasibility of sampling hair for cortisol analysis in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. We examined feasibility related to participation, eligibility, and gathering an adequate hair sample weight.Methods: We approached 142 low-income, racially diverse, urban-dwelling mothers who were participating in an ongoing longitudinal birth cohort study for informed consent to cut approximately 150 hairs from the posterior vertex of their scalp and their toddlers' (20-24 months) scalp. We demonstrated the process of sampling hair with a hairstyling doll during home visits to the mother and toddler using rounded-end thinning shears.Results: Overall, 94 of 142 mother-toddler dyads (66 %) participated in hair sampling. The most common reason for participation refusal was related to hairstyle. All but three hair samples were of adequate weight for cortisol extraction.Discussion: The findings from this study can help researchers address sampling feasibility concerns in hair for cortisol analysis research in mother-toddler dyads living in low-income homes in the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]