Mindfulness-Based Infant Parenting: A Feasibility Study of the Integrative Mindfulness-Based Infant Parenting Program
Or Burstein, Zipi Teshale Zevin, Or Lipschits, Ronny Geva
Mindfulness August 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-026-02954-z (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Non-randomized feasibility study Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 32 |
| Population | Caregivers of full-term and preterm infants |
| Intervention | Integrative Mindfulness-Based Infant Parenting Program (IMIP) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | IMIP was feasible and well tolerated, with high retention (94.1%) and adherence (median 7/8 sessions). Caregivers reported gains in mindful parenting, especially non-judgmental self-acceptance, and observed parental and child focused attention increased together. Patterns were consistent across full-term and preterm caregivers, and those with elevated baseline depression showed lower post-intervention scores. |
Abstract
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.