Abstract
The study evaluated mothers of preterm infants who were discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with regard to their personal characteristics and those of their infants as well as the role that social support plays in deciding whether to introduce a pacifier during the first two years of the infant’s life. This longitudinal study was based on the Bioecological Theory of Human Development. The mothers were interviewed at the NICU and when their infants were 6, 12, 18, and 24 months old. The participants were grouped according to whether the infants used a pacifier (Group-A) or not (Group-B). The results showed that calm/peaceful maternal characteristics were more frequent in Group-A (75 %), and nervous/agitated/irritated in Group-B (61.5 %; p = 0.041). Calm/easy-to-care/independent infant characteristics prevailed in Group-A (55 %), whereas agitated/messy/stubborn/aggressive characteristics did so in Group-B (84.6 %; p = 0.026). These latter traits were also associated with multiple offers for a pacifier (p = 0.006). Group-A reported one or two people in their social support network (77.8 %), whereas Group-B reported three to seven people (66.7 %; p = 0.001). In conclusion, calm/peaceful and calm/easy-to-care/independent characteristics predominated in the mothers and infants of Group-A; these infant traits were associated with easier pacifier acceptance. The extent of social support was significantly smaller in Group-A.
Highlights
Infants obtain their essential nutrition through breastfeeding (BF); at the same time, they experience other, non-nutritional sensations related to sucking on the breast, such as pleasure and safety
The data collected in this study comprised 33 mothers who attended all phases, corresponding to 53.2 % of the initial group
No significant differences were found between the characteristics of participants who remained in the study (n = 33) and those who dropped out
Summary
Infants obtain their essential nutrition through breastfeeding (BF); at the same time, they experience other, non-nutritional sensations related to sucking on the breast, such as pleasure and safety. When the need for non-nutritive sucking is not completely satisfied, infants might become restless, cry, sleep little, or begin sucking on their hands and fingers (Camargo 2005). When trying to comfort infants, mothers or other family members might introduce pacifiers; this action can condition excessive offers, even among infants who would not typically suck their fingers. Pacifier use might be a way of masking other infant needs. These infants express themselves through crying, indicating indiscriminate offer (Albuquerque et al 2010; Mendes et al 2008; Oliveira et al 2006; Peres et al 2007; Serra-Negra et al 1997).
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