Differences of Maternal Infant-Feeding Style in Baby-Led Weaning and Traditional Weaning
Dian Susmarini, Made Sumarwati, Atyanti Isworo
Nursing Department, Jenderal Soedirman University, Indonesia
Abstract
Background: baby-led weaning is a new method of introducing solids in babies aged six to 12 months besides traditional weaning which has been practiced for ages. In feeding babies, maternal infant-feeding style reflects how mothers manage amount of food, feeding times and feeding pace. A study regarding maternal infant-feeding style is needed to identify the difference of maternal infant-feeding style in mothers following baby-led weaning and traditional weaning as a basic assessment of baby-led weaning field. Aim: This research was aimed to identify differences of maternal infant-feeding style among mothers following baby-led weaning and traditional weaning. Method: This study was a comparative research. Population was mothers of six to 12 months old babies in Indonesia. Respondents (n=316) were recruited using consecutive sampling technique through online survey in one month period. Results: There was a significant difference of maternal infant-feeding style among mothers following baby-led weaning and traditional weaning (p=0.000). Almost all traditional weaning group were categorized as authoritative and authoritarian which means mothers have more control over feeding the babies. Meanwhile, majority of mothers following baby-led weaning were in authoritative category. Authoritative is described as mothers have less both control and anxiety over babies feeding. Conclusion: This research supports the existing opinion that mothers following baby-led weaning give more independence to babies during solids introduction compared to traditional weaning mothers. This in accordance with characteristics of baby-led weaning mothers who let babies eat at their pace.
Keywords: baby-led weaning, maternal infant-feeding style, traditional weaning
Topic: Nursing