Parental Influences on Infant Feeding Practices

Infant feeding practices are shaped by parental beliefs, socio‐cultural norms and economic factors. The decision to initiate and sustain exclusive breastfeeding, the timing and composition of complementary feeding and patterns of caregiver responsiveness coalesce to influence dietary preferences and long‐term health trajectories. Parents navigate diverse sources of advice, spanning healthcare professionals, familial networks and digital platforms, often encountering contradictory messages on developmental readiness and portion sizes. Socio‐economic status affects access to resources and shapes feeding choices, while cultural and ethnic backgrounds frame normative attitudes toward milk versus solid foods. Parental feeding styles—ranging from responsive to controlling approaches—modulate infants’ appetite regulation and food acceptance. Early introduction of solids or non‐nutritive feeding may stem from misinterpretation of hunger cues, stressing the importance of clear guidance on signs of readiness. Global initiatives to harmonise recommendations underscore the need for practical, context‐sensitive interventions that equip caregivers with evidence‐based strategies. Recognising the interplay between individual motivations, social influences and professional support is essential to foster optimal infant nutrition and reduce inequalities in early dietary experiences.

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Parental Influences on Infant Feeding Practices publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in parental influences on infant feeding practices across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Exclusive breastfeeding: Feeding an infant only breast milk, without any additional foods or liquids, for the first six months of life.

Complementary feeding: Introduction of solid or semi‐solid foods alongside continued breast milk or formula, typically beginning around six months of age.

Feeding style: The behavioural approach adopted by caregivers during feeding interactions, ranging from responsive (tuning in to hunger cues) to controlling (pressuring or restricting intake).

Social modelling: Influence exerted when parents demonstrate eating behaviours that infants imitate, thereby shaping food preferences and acceptance.

Weaning: The gradual transition from exclusive milk feeding to a varied diet of solid foods and drinks.

References

1. Gap between the concerns of healthcare professionals and parents’ perceptions regarding dietary habits for 18-month- and 3-year-old children in Japan. BMC Public Health (2023).
2. Parental considerations during complementary feeding in higher income countries: a systematic review of qualitative evidence. Public Health Nutrition (2021).
3. Understanding feeding practices of Latinx mothers of infants and toddlers at risk for childhood obesity: A qualitative study. Maternal and Child Nutrition (2020).