Maternal Experiences with Discussing Complementary Feeding in Primary Care

Kelly Lynn Bouchard (), Diana S. Grigsby-Toussaint, Katelyn Fox, Sarah Amin, Maya Vadiveloo, Mary L. Greaney and Alison Tovar
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Kelly Lynn Bouchard: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Diana S. Grigsby-Toussaint: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA
Katelyn Fox: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Sarah Amin: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Maya Vadiveloo: Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Mary L. Greaney: Department of Health Studies, College of Health Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA
Alison Tovar: Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-15

Abstract: Complementary feeding practices promote healthy eating habits and food preferences later in life. Little is known about how US pediatricians communicate infant feeding practices to caregivers or how caregivers respond to this information. The purpose of this study is to explore mothers’ experiences and perceptions of the complementary feeding recommendations they receive in primary care settings. English- and Spanish-speaking mothers of infants were recruited from Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children offices in Rhode Island, US, and snowball sampling. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted to investigate mothers’ discussions with pediatricians about complementary feeding and their overall impressions of wellness visits. Thematic analysis was informed by the Fundamentals of Care theoretical framework. The mean age of the sample ( n = 13) was 30.5 years and 62% self-identified as Latina. Four themes emerged from the analysis: (1) wellness visits are mostly positive experiences, (2) not all infant feeding recommendations are easy to follow, (3) alternative sources of infant feeding recommendations can be just as helpful, and (4) there is room for improvement at wellness visits. Improving the content, delivery, and cultural relevance of infant feeding recommendations in primary care settings with more specific and tailored information may promote adherence to evidence-based practices.

Keywords: complementary feeding; infant feeding; primary care; qualitative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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