Infant Feeding Practices of Grandparents

Abstract

What is it that determines the infant feeding practices of individuals, households and societies? Is it an individual’s preference and taste for food or is it the societal environment shaped by existing policies and structures? This study sought to explore the infant feeding practices of grandparents in New Zealand from the perspectives of Māori and Samoans. Infant feeding practices are an essential component to ensuring optimal growth and development for children. Up to a certain age, children cannot make decisions about what they eat, and this role is the responsibility of their caregivers. The manner in which interactions with food occur and the feeding behaviours established in children as they grow are influenced by the people they spend a lot of time with. Due to the dynamics in demographics in New Zealand, increasing numbers of grandparents are taking up the role of caring for their grandchildren as primary or substantive caregivers. Grandparents are a vulnerable group due to their age and limited income sources and thus require support in various forms. A qualitative study was carried out to explore the factors that act as facilitators as well as barriers to infant feeding practices. In addition, this study sought to understand the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of grandparents that drive feeding practices. This study was consistent with the Kaupapa Māori research framework which ensured that it would make a positive difference in the feeding practices of grandparents and their families. The Williams’ adapted model for the basic causes of health was used to guide this research’s focus on structural elements. Experiences shared and the lessons learnt from the semi structured interviews with grandparents who identified as Māori or Samoan caring for their grandchildren generated immense understanding of their practices. The themes constructed from this research are anticipated to provide useful insight into a grey area for the marginalised elderly as well as developing more focused approaches to optimise infant feeding practices in New Zealand. Findings from this study suggest that the feeding practices of grandparents are driven by upstream structural elements. These structural elements have been shown to influence inequities between population groups.