| This study investigates parent-child interactions in comparison with demographic variables and feeding practices. Data from The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (SECCYD) was analyzed to answer the research questions. This study includes 717 mother, father, and child triads deduced from the 1,364 families in the original study. Demographic information, qualitative ratings from the Parent-Child interaction tasks and data from questionnaires determining the duration of breastfeeding were utilized. Mothers’ total interaction scores(TIS)were most highly correlated with education level and age. Fathers’ TIS were most highly correlated with education level followed by ethnicity and lastly, the breastfeedingvariable.Future research including fathers earlier and more detailed information on feeding interactions is recommended to more fully understand fathers’ roles. Key Words: parent-child relationships, interaction, attachment, mothers, fathers, feeding |