Mother's attitude and behavior during additional foodstart: Qualitative research

INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The complementary feeding period is defined as an important time interval determining the future physical and mental health indicators for babies who are introduced to different foods for the first time after breastmilk. In this study, the procedure followed by the mothers having 12-36 month-old babies at the period of complemantary feeding transition for good and appropriate infant nutrition, their concerns related to complemantary feeding, the suggestions given to them, and the sources that they apply are aimed to be investigated. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Between October 16, 2019-December 20, 2019, a qualitative research is planned to make face to face interview with the 40 volunteer mothers, who are registered Sakarya city Serdivan province Bahçelievler Family Health Center and having no communication problem, with 12-36 month-old babies making use of semi-constructed interview form, and to record the interviews. Qualitative data analysis is applied via theme analysis method using MAXQDA Pro2020 program while transferring the results of the interviews to the computer environment as written manuscripts, SPSS 20.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) is used to evaluate the social-demographical data, and the conclusions are evaluated. RESULTS: The average starting time of the weaning period is found as 5.59±0.60. It is declared in our study that the average age of the participants is 32.2±5.34 SD (Standard Deviation) and 72.5 percent of the participants have at least high-school education. Six mean themes are obtained making use of qualitative theme analyses method. The preference for organic, pure, and high nutiritional value food and the provision of the taste and the texture that could be appreciated by the children are stated as the the ways of correct feeding at the weaning period. Allergic reactions, choking, and the rejection of food are displayed as the concerns encountered at the weaning period. The doctors, the other medical staff, the parents, the social media, and the Internet are expressed as the consulted sources and the most influential x groups are the doctors and the parents. Trying different recipes, starting earlier the foods having grains, and allowing the babies to feed themselves on their own are the issues resulting in regret. The aspects such as getting professional assistance, letting the babies eat on their own, and trying new recipes are the critical issues to be cared about when the mothers have their newborn children. CONCLUSION: The applications while passing through the complemantary feeding affect the health parameter indications of the babies when they grow. In order to create healthy generations, infant nutrition is required to be supported with breastfeeding for at least six months and the weaning duration is to be managed appropriately. It is concluded that the mothers have a lot of information up to a degree, but they need education to establish a more modern and healthier nutrition model. To accomplish these aspects, the mothers are provided with the reliable and actual data sources and their concerns at the beginning of weaning are to be solved. KEYWORDS: Complemantary feeding, Infant nutrition, Weaning period.