| Abstract: | To explore the attractiveness of VLBW infants with postnatal headmolding, 29 mothers of VLBW infants and 29 mothers of full-terms rated complimentary photographs of VLBW newborns with postnatal headmolding, VLBW newborns without postnatal headmolding, and full-term newborns. In a second study, facial conformation and infant attractiveness were assessed to determine the degree to which babyish head-shapes and infant attractiveness differed between VLBW and full-term infants. Finally, infant history, measures of facial conformation, and infant attractiveness ratings were regressed on maternal responsiveness scores. Overall, mothers rated photographs of VLBW newborns with postnatal headmolding as less cute; however, mothers of VLBW infants rated photographs of VLBW newborns with postnatal headmolding as more cute than did mothers of full-term infants. During the second half of the first year of life, VLBW infants had narrower mouths, their eyes were closer to the sides of the face, and there was a tendency for VLBW infants to have narrower heads; however, overall attractiveness ratings of VLBW and full-term infants did not differ. More babyish head shape (wider head shape, more babyish facial features) significantly predicted maternal responsiveness to infant cues in a freeplay session. Findings demonstrate that VLBW newborns with postnatal headmolding are more vulnerable to negative evaluations of perceived attractiveness, differences in head shape are evident in the second half of the first year of life, and babyish headshape may be one factor that affects the degree to which infants are able to elicit sensitive maternal responses. |
