Mothers' experiences with complementary feeding: Conventional and baby‐led approaches

Elizabeth Swanepoel; Justine Henderson; Judith Maher

doi:10.1111/1747-0080.12566

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Mothers' experiences with complementary feeding: Conventional and baby‐led approaches

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Mothers' experiences with complementary feeding: Conventional and baby‐led approaches

Elizabeth Swanepoel, Justine Henderson and Judith Maher

Nutrition & Dietetics, Vol.77(3), pp.373-381

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12566

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

baby-led weaning

complementary feeding

infant feeding decisions

qualitative methods

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Aim: Lifelong eating behaviours are shaped in infancy with the introduction of solid foods (complementary feeding). A conventional approach to complementary feeding, encompassing spoon feeding of pureed foods, has long been the standard. Baby-led weaning is a contemporary approach whereby the infant is encouraged to choose what and how much they eat. Mothers navigate decisions about what and how to introduce foods to their infant in diverse ways. This study set out to explore the complementary feeding approaches of women. Methods: A qualitative study utilising photovoice and focus groups generated data that provided insight into women's lived experiences of complementary feeding. Thirteen women were purposively sampled and data were analysed in line with descriptive phenomenology. Results: Three recurrent themes emerged from the data. Women's approaches to complementary feeding were mediated by "trust," "convenience" and making decisions that were "value based versus practical based." Trust manifested in various forms including trusting the infant, trusting women's own instincts and the tension between social pressures and trust of self. Conclusions: Differences between women following a conventional vs baby-led approach were also seen in perceptions of convenience, and the decision-making process. This study provides insight into how and why women choose certain feeding practices and can be used to better equip health professionals to work with new mothers in providing realistic and nuanced feeding support.

Details

Title: Mothers' experiences with complementary feeding: Conventional and baby‐led approaches
Authors: Elizabeth Swanepoel (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sports Sciences
Justine Henderson (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sports Sciences
Judith Maher (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Health and Sports Sciences
Publication details: Nutrition & Dietetics, Vol.77(3), pp.373-381
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12566
ISSN: 1446-6368
Organisation Unit: Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health - Nutrition & Dietetics; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450677602621
Output Type: Journal article

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