Erken Süt Çocukluğu Döneminde Tamamlayıcı Beslenmeye Geçişte ve Beslenme Sorunlarında Babanın Rolü
Özet
Feeding problem is one of the most common behavioral problems in children. It has been shown that fathers' negative attitudes during feeding increase feeding problems in children. In this study, we aimed to determine the impact of engaging fathers in complementary feeding practices on the emergence of behavioral feeding problems in infants and to determine the approaches of mothers/fathers regarding feeding process by training fathers along with mothers. This study included 168 infants in the period of complementary feeding and their parents, who applied to the Department of Pediatrics in Baskent University Medical Faculty between September 2019-June 2020. Both mothers and fathers in the study group and mothers in the control group were trained for 20 minutes in accordance with the Complementary feeding guide. Both infant-feeding stories and parental feeding attitudes and behaviors were evaluated with a questionnaire. Emotions, thoughts and attitudes of mothers and fathers regarding the feeding process were investigated using Mother’s Attitudes Towards the Feeding Process Scale, while behavioral feeding status of infants was investigated using Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale according to parents’ opinions. After feeding education, the frequency of fathers engaged infant feeding increased from 16.5% at the 6th month to 85.9% at the 9th month and to 96.5% at the 12th month compared to 19.3%, 49.4%, and 75.9% at the 6th, 9th and 12th months (p<0.05), respectively, in the control group. The frequency of feeding problems at 9th and 12th months in the study group was 44.7% and 18.8%, respectively compared to 79.5% and 65% in the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between study and control groups (p<0.05). After feeding education parents total scores of the Mother’s Attitudes Towards the Feeding Process Scale and Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale in the study group were lower than the control group. Mother’s total score of the Mother’s Attitudes Towards the Feeding Process Scale was 77.08±10.96 at the 9th month, 77.34±10.16 at the 12th month in the study group compared to 89.51±12.75 and 89.00±12.77 at the 9th and 12th months, respectively, in the control group (p<0.01). Mothers’ problems related to their attitudes towards infants feeding process were found to be moderate, and high in the control group. Problems related to the attitudes of fathers during feeding practicies in the study group were lower than control group. After feeding education, the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale scores in the study group were 56.61±8.96, 57.02±6.93 for mothers, 54.36±6.82 and 53.31±6.62 for fathers, while were 67.97±9.66 and 65.54±8.52 for mothers and 62.54±6.69 and 61.28±7.73 for fathers in the control group, at the 9th and 12th months respectively (p<0.01). Infants in the study group had less problems regarding feeding behaviour and habits. Educating both mothers and fathers on feeding practicies and problems during complementary feeding positively affects the feeding attitudes and behaviors of parents and reduces early behavioral feeding problems in infants.
