Nurturing Bonds: A Qualitative Exploration of Breastfeeding and Responsive Feeding Practices in Samoan Mother-Infants Dyads

Introduction

Little is known about whether perceptions in Samoa of human milk composition and quality play a role in the decline in exclusive breastfeeding with age, the introduction of solid foods, or the degree to which mothers are utilizing responsive feeding practices. To explore this topic, we qualitatively explored feeding practices in Samoan families to identify areas in which the introduction of responsive feeding education may support and supplement the current breastfeeding promotion success.

Methods

In 2020–2021 we conducted one-on-one structured interviews with n = 100 mothers of infants aged 2–4 months. A subset of the sample (n = 25) was asked to take part in focus groups approximately a year later to gain further information regarding their overall infant feeding experience and behaviors, including breastfeeding and complementary feeding, related to responsive feeding methods and weaning.

Results

Three themes emerged from the interviews—Human Milk Contents, Nurturing Qualities and Hunger/Satiety Cues, while the focus groups generated seven themes—Human Milk Attitudes, Weaning Age, Weaning Foods, Introduction of New Foods, Mealtimes, Crying/Fussiness Response, and Sweet Food/Candy. While, to the best of our knowledge, responsive feeding practices are not taught in Samoa, some of the themes highlighted responsive feeding practices already being utilized in Samoan families.

Discussion and Conclusion

The information gained from the interviews and focus groups can be used to develop evidence-based messaging that strives to educate parents and caregivers to successfully identify hunger and satiety signals in infants and encourage the introduction of healthy and age-appropriate foods that complement current Samoan breastfeeding practices and childhood dietary patterns.