Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of sensory stimulation program administered by primipara on the physical growth and mother-infant feeding interaction for the first 6 months of infancy.
Method: Data were collected from December 1, 2001 to June 30, 2003. A total of 35 mothers and their infants were assigned to a control (n=17) and an experimental (n=18) group. Mothers in the experimental group received education related to sensory stimulation program and administered to their infants twice a day for 6 months. Both groups were measured the weight, length, head circumference and chest circumference of infants at 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 14 weeks, 18 weeks, and 22 weeks and the mother-infant feeding interaction at 6 weeks, 10 weeks through the home visiting.
Result: Compared to the control group, the experimental group had significantly larger increases in head circumference for intervention period. In addition to, the experimental group showed significantly higher score in mother-infant interaction than control group.
Conclusion: These data suggested that sensory stimulation program administered by primipara may improve the physical growth of full term infant and mother-infant feeding interaction.