Mothers’ Narratives of their Infants’ Feeding Problems and Comparing Infant Feeding Styles

Background & Aims: The purpose of the present study was to compare feeding problems, infant eating behavior, and feeding styles between infants with and without feeding problems according to their mothers’ narratives. Methods: In this casual-comparative study, 50 mother-infant dyads were selected using convenient sampling. The infants’ ages ranged between 6 to 12 months. After matching, the infants were classified into two separate groups of infants with and without feeding problems according to their mothers’ narratives. The Feeding Problem, Child Eating Behavior (CEBQ), and Infant Feeding Style (IFSQ) questionnaires were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using MANOVA. Results: Infants with feeding problems had less desire for and enjoyment in food, slower feeding rate, and more emotion-dependent eating. Moreover, mothers of infants with feeding problems had less responsible feeding styles and more negligent beliefs and behaviors toward feeding their children, and applied more force and pressure in feeding their infants. Conclusion: The findings of this study could be considered by specialists in preventive and therapeutic programs for eating problems in infants.