Abstract:
This study examined the effects of professional maternal feeding training on first-time mothers within a few months of giving birth surrounding creating an enjoyable environment while feeding the infant, the infant’s independence in eating, age-appropriate food texture, and family eating habits when the infant is one year old. The present study was based on materials collected in a previous randomized controlled study published by Globus et al. )2019(. Mother–infant mealtime dyad videos taken in the previous study were reviewed and reexamined in the current study based on the following criteria: independence in eating, eating environment, type of food served, and types of eating utensils used (in both the intervention and control groups). Additionally, the Family Eating and Activity Habits Questionnaire, which was not examined in the previous study, was analyzed. Providing early professional parental training significantly increased the percentage of time during which there was a positive atmosphere at mealtime and improved the infant’s independent eating and the family’s eating habits among the intervention group as compared to the control. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding the texture of the food served. The results highlighted the importance of providing early professional parental training to first-time parents after birth and to healthy family eating habits and atmosphere during mealtimes after one year. This study strengthens previous research and theory on the importance of developing healthy feeding relationships during the first few months after birth.
Audience Take Aways:
- This research highlights the importance of developing healthy feeding relationships during the first few months after birth.
- This research highlights the importance for public health policy makers to train health care professionals to provide psychoeducation on feeding relationship with their child.
- This research highlights the importance of providing early professional parental training to prevent disordered eating and eating disorders later in life.
