A prospective study exploring the early infant feeding experiences of parents and their significant others during the first 6 months of life: what would make a difference?

This longitudinal qualitative study with thirty-six families was conducted in 2009-2010 by staff at the University of Aberdeen and the University of Stirling on behalf of NHS Health Scotland. Its aim was to explore the early infant feeding experiences of mothers, including the support offered by others along a time-line, from the antenatal period until their infant was 6 months old and to gather data to inform the development of interventions aimed at improving any breastfeeding; exclusive breastfeeding; the introduction of appropriate solids at 6 months and parental experiences of feeding their baby.