What parents think about weaning. An island of Ireland study

Abstract

The overall aim of this study was to investigate parents’ knowledge, attitudes and practices around weaning their infant to solid foods, with a focus on families who are at an economic or social disadvantage. The study objectives were to: Investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents with children between 3 months and 14 months of age in relation to weaning their children; Gain insight into the key barriers and facilitators that parents face when (or if) they are following weaning guidelines with their own children; Investigate the key sources of information and guidance that parents are using which are viewed as both practical and helpful; Identify with parents the mechanisms through which support can be provided for families who are weaning their children; Make recommendations on the ways in which guidelines which offer support for parents around weaning can be improved, based on the feedback from parents.