In today’s digital age, smartphones are almost always within arm’s reach, even during feeding and bonding time with babies. A 2021 study explored how maternal smartphone use influences mothers’ attention and physiological responses during two key early interactions: breastfeeding and face-to-face engagement with their infants. From a neuroscience and developmental perspective, these moments are critical for establishing attunement, the process by which an infant’s nervous system learns to co-regulate through consistent, responsive caregiving. Researchers found that these devices do more than just distract; they measurably change how mothers look at and physiologically respond to their babies during these moments.

The study involved 20 breastfeeding mothers and their 3-6 month old infants in a controlled lab setting. Using eye-tracking technology, researchers measured how often and how long mothers visually attended to their infants. Simultaneously, physiological markers such as cardiac output and skin conductance were recorded to assess autonomic nervous system activity. Mothers were observed under three conditions: active smartphone use, passive exposure to notifications, and complete phone unavailability, across both breastfeeding and face-to-face interaction sessions.

Results showed that active smartphone use significantly reduced maternal gaze toward the infant, particularly during breastfeeding. From a physiological standpoint, breastfeeding was associated with higher cardiac output overall. Changes in skin conductance, a marker of sympathetic nervous system arousal, suggested that attention directed toward the phone competed with physiological engagement in the caregiving task. In essence, the mother’s nervous system appeared partially oriented toward the device rather than fully toward the infant.

There was also a nuanced link between mothers’ self-reported smartphone “addiction” and their physiological responses, suggesting that habitual device use might reduce biological sensitivity in these intimate moments. This matters because early infant development relies heavily on repeated cycles of mutual gaze, touch, and responsive regulation to shape emotional, cognitive, and stress-response systems. While smartphones bring convenience and connection to our lives, this research highlights a potential cost in early maternal responsiveness.

HOW CHIROPRACTIC CAN SUPPORT

Because early bonding depends so heavily on nervous system regulation, chiropractic care may play a supportive role for both mothers and infants during this critical period.

Chiropractic focuses on how the nervous system adapts to stress and how efficiently it coordinates physiological regulation. For postpartum mothers, neurologically based care aims to support autonomic balance, influence stress response, emotion regulation, and availability during caregiving. For infants, care is centered around supporting regulation during a period of rapid neurological growth. By addressing patterns of stress and dysregulation within the nervous system, neurologically based chiropractic care may help foster a more calm, connected environment that supports healthy, early interaction.

Nomkin LG, Gordon I. The relationship between maternal smartphone use, physiological responses, and gaze patterns during breastfeeding and face-to-face interactions with infant., PLoS One. 2021