Mindfulness-Based Infant Parenting: A Feasibility Study of the Integrative Mindfulness-Based Infant Parenting Program

Abstract Objectives This non-randomized feasibility study evaluated the Integrative Mindfulness-Based Infant Parenting Program (IMIP), a mindfulness-based intervention designed for the unique demands of parenting during infancy, including in high-risk contexts such as preterm birth. We sought to assess the feasibility of IMIP delivery and evaluation and to descriptively characterize pre–post patterns in reported and observed parental and infant outcomes to inform future trials. Method Thirty-two caregivers (16 of full-term and 16 of preterm infants) completed pre- and post-intervention assessments. Feasibility indicators included recruitment, retention, adherence, delivery fidelity, and assessment viability. Exploratory outcomes spanned self-reported mindful parenting, parenting confidence, depressive symptoms, and parenting stress; observational indices captured parental focused attention (FA) and child FA during free and semi-structured play; parent–infant autonomic synchrony was explored via electrocardiogram. Results IMIP was feasible and well tolerated, with high retention (94.1%), strong adherence ( Mdn = 7/8 sessions), and complete delivery of all planned sessions. Caregivers reported pre-to-post gains across mindful parenting domains, with the most pronounced in non-judgmental self-acceptance. Behaviorally, increases were observed in parental FA, with gains co-occurring with increases in child FA. Patterns were broadly consistent across full-term and preterm caregivers, and caregivers with clinically elevated baseline depression showed lower post-intervention scores. Conclusions IMIP shows preliminary feasibility for delivery and multi-level evaluation in both full-term and preterm contexts, with self-acceptance emerging as a candidate change target. Findings support advancement to adequately powered trials. Preregistration This study was not preregistered.