Table 2 Description of the content in the intervention “barnE-mat”
Age Title/Main theme | Anticipatory guidance on when and what | Anticipatory guidance on how | Intervention-elements based on attachment theory/developmental psychology | Guidance/demonstrating on skills in the movies (examples) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6 months The first food | Time to introduce solid food Small tastings of finely mashed consistency to raise interest Variation in food from the beginning | Guidance of responsive feeding Following the child’s signals of hunger and satiety | Child-centered care; emphasizing the importance of being sensitive and responding to the infant’s cues Confirm and meet the child’s signals with facial expressions and voice | Sensitive/Responsive feeding; mother awaiting her baby’s signals in the meal How to make food tastes and small portions of home-made infant food |
7 months Sweet and salty food | Development of taste and food preferences Sensitive period for introduction of new flavors | Use of repeated exposures to promote taste and texture acceptance Avoid pressuring to eat The importance of being a role-model during meals Promoting good mealtime routines | Child-centered care; emphasizing the importance of being sensitive and responding to the infant’s cues The meal as a safe base for exploration | Sensitive/Responsive feeding; mother withdraws when the child has mouth closed How to cut and mash fruit and vegetables How to easily make varied baby food |
8 months Food with lumps | Introduction to new consistencies and textures Gradual development of the oral-motor skills and mastery of firmer consistencies | Variety in taste and texture and repeated exposure to promote good eating habits Making homemade baby-food to facilitate introduction to the family’s food | Child-centered care; emphasizing the importance of being sensitive and responding to the infant’s cues The meal as a safe base for exploration | Sensitive/Responsive feeding and Family-meal/Modelling; child picking pieces of food to eat Age-appropriate, soft consistencies How to make homemade food with varied consistency suitable for both baby and family |
9 months Eating alone and eating together | Age appropriate portion sizes Recognition of hunger and fullness Facilitate self-feeding | How to promote child autonomy and mastery in mealtimes Awareness of the child’s signals of hunger and satiety; parent provide and child decide Avoiding pressure to eat The importance of family-meals and role-modelling Promoting good mealtime routines | Child-centered care; emphasizing the importance of being sensitive and responding to the infant’s cues The meal as a safe base for exploration Parents` responsibility for creating a nurturing emotional climate | Sensitive/Responsive feeding and Family-meal/Modelling; family-dinner with children allowed to explore food on their own How to make homemade food easy for the child to eat, suitable for both baby and family |
10 months Food and feelings | Early establishment of food habits and eating behaviors | Avoiding food as comfort or reward Discourage use of restrictive and coercive feeding practices Parents as positive role-models of eating behaviours Promoting good mealtime routines | Child-centered care; emphasizing the importance of being sensitive and responding to the infant’s cues Regulation of emotions; confirm and meet the child’s signals to facilitate self-regulation Role modelling and social referencing; infants read and interpret facial expressions to understand their surroundings | Sensitive/Responsive feeding and Family-meal/Modelling; mother who comforts her child and regulates his feelings Children enjoying eating healthy food How to make homemade food for weekends and celebration, suitable for both baby and family |
11 months Food as building blocks – the important foundation | Early food habits and their relevance for later health and prevention of noncommunicable diseases A balanced diet based on readily available raw materials is sufficient and “good enough” Using fruit as a snack, water when thirsty | Variation and repeated exposure to facilitate acceptance of healthy foods like vegetables Making homemade baby-food for greater variety Having fruits and vegetables readily available at home | Child-centered care; emphasizing the importance of being sensitive and responding to the infant’s cues Early, everyday experiences form patterns (cognitive schemas), and lay the foundation for later mental and physical health | Sensitive/Responsive feeding and Family-meal/Modelling; child “helping” her mother to prepare food showing enjoyment and engagement How to make homemade food rich in important nutrients, suitable for both baby and family |
12 months Life ahead – weekdays with job and kindergarten | Introduction to family food and appropriate mealtime-structure Using fruit as a snack, water when thirsty | Planning for healthy food-choices Variation and repeated exposure to facilitate acceptance of healthy foods like vegetables Involve the child in preparing meals Avoiding pressure to eat; parent provide, child decide Promoting good mealtime routines Parents and other children as positive role-models of eating behaviours | Child-centered care; emphasizing the importance of being sensitive and responding to the infant’s cues The meal as a safe base for exploration Parents` responsibility for creating a nurturing emotional climate | Sensitive/Responsive feeding and Family-meal/Modelling; child allowed to assist in preparing the meal How to make homemade food for busy weekdays, suitable for both baby and family |