I'll Never Give Up: A Qualitative Study of Caregivers’ Perceptions and Decisional Processes When Feeding Infants and Toddlers Novel and Disliked Foods

Objective To better understand caregivers’ decisional processes related to offering novel and disliked foods to their infants and toddlers. Design As part of a parent study on young children's food acceptance that took place in Denver, CO, this secondary analysis used a basic qualitative approach to explore caregivers’ decisional processes related to repeated exposure and children's food rejection. Participants English-speaking caregivers of infants and toddlers (aged 6–24 months; n = 106) were recruited via flyers and social media and interviewed (from July, 2017 to January, 2018) during a laboratory visit focused on introducing a novel food. Phenomenon of Interest Factors influencing caregiver decisions to (dis)continue offering novel or disliked foods. Analysis Using a combined deductive and inductive coding approach, trained researchers coded transcripts and codes, which were reviewed and discussed by all investigators to identify themes. Results Three major themes (and 2 subthemes) were generated regarding caregivers’ decisions about re-offering rejected foods: 1) Caregivers understand that multiple experiences with new foods are needed because children’s reactions can be unpredictable and depend upon time, developmental stage, and child traits; 2) Caregivers vary in their persistence and decisions to keep offering foods depending on responsiveness to child cues (sub-theme) and adult-centered beliefs, needs, and decisions (sub-theme); 3) Child food acceptance will change with time, circumstances, and development if you keep trying. Conclusions and Implications Although caregivers are aware of repeated exposure, additional implementation research focused on translating theory into effective home practices could assist caregivers to persist in offering novel or disliked foods.