Parental engagement with complementary feeding information in the United Kingdom: A qualitative evidence synthesis

Abstract

Complementary feeding is the process of introducing solid foods to milk-fed infants (also known as weaning). Current UK guidance states that complementary feeding should occur around 6 months but not before 4 months. This systematic review explores how parents in the UK, with an infant under 24 months of age, engage with sources of information and advice about complementary feeding. Engaging with sources of information can influence parents' feeding choices and so a better understanding of parents' information behaviours can improve service provisions. Six databases were searched, identifying 15 relevant qualitative studies with the predefined criteria. Data from each study were coded line by line allowing for a synthesis of higher analytical themes. Using thematic synthesis, four main themes were observed: (1) trust and rapport—parents valued information from a trusted source (2), accessibility—information needs were often time sensitive, and parents showed varying levels of understanding, (3) adapting feeding plans—often influenced by practicalities (4), being a good parent—feeding plans were changed to comply with societal ideas of ‘good parenting’. The review concluded that parents receive information and advice about complementary feeding from multiple sources and are highly motivated to seek further information. The scope of this novel review explored the parental experience of finding, receiving and engaging with information sources and how this may or may not have influenced their feeding behaviours. The review has provided a new perspective to add to the growing body of literature that focuses on the experience of feeding an infant.