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Parental engagement with complementary feeding information and their information-seeking behaviours in the United Kingdom

Lead Research Organisation: University of the West of England
Department Name: Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences

Abstract

How do mothers find, understand and negotiate sources of complementary feeding advice and how does this relate to their wellbeing?
This aim will be achieved through a series of mixed-methods studies to address the following sub-questions which have been divided into 3 phases

Phase 1 - Systematic review of the literature
1)Where do mothers seek advice on complementary feeding and what advice do they follow?
2)How do mothers determine trustworthy sources of advice and how do they choose which advice to follow?
3)What do mothers say about their experience of seeking information and receiving advice on complementary feeding?

Phase 2 - Focus groups
4)What are mothers' experiences of advice given by HCPs about complementary feeding?
5)What are the barriers and enablers to accessing and following complementary feeding advice provided by HCPs?
6)What are mothers' experiences of advice given by baby food companies about complementary feeding?

Phase 3 - Further primary research (interviews or online survey)
7)What is the relationship between mood, advice seeking and feeding decisions in mothers of infants under 24 months?
8)Do mothers' views on complementary feeding advice differ depending on experience of infant milk feeding (formula, breastfeeding, mixed-feeding, expressed)?

This piece of research aims to contribute to the understanding of how mothers seek information on complementary feeding and to explore the relationship between engaging with feeding advice and maternal wellbeing. It is hoped that this might improve how infant feeding information is provided with the aim of increasing engagement whilst protecting the 'good mother' identity and therefore promoting maternal wellbeing (Harrison et al. 2017, Moore et al. 2012). This study also hopes to contribute to the understanding of the influence baby-food manufacturers have on mother's feeding choices which may inform policy makers and future health promotion (Redsell et al. 2016, , Brown et al. 2011, Garcia et al. 2015, Palmer 2011).

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
ES/P000630/1 30/09/2017 29/09/2028
2282146 Studentship ES/P000630/1 30/09/2019 31/03/2024 Kelly Spurlock
NE/W502431/1 31/03/2021 30/03/2022
2282146 Studentship NE/W502431/1 30/09/2019 31/03/2024 Kelly Spurlock