# Responsive Complementary Feeding Practices in Rural Muhanga District of Rwanda: A Mixed Methods Study

## TL;DR

This study examines how mothers in rural Rwanda feed their young children and finds that responsive feeding is limited due to time constraints, poverty, and fear of mess or waste.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into responsive feeding practices and barriers in rural Rwanda, where such data was previously lacking.

## Key findings

- Less than half of mothers allowed children to self-feed or interact during meals.
- Major barriers included lack of time, poverty, and fear of mess or food waste.
- Responsive feeding practices improved slightly as children aged.

## Abstract

Responsive feeding among infants and young children (IYC) determines their food acceptance and adequate dietary intake, which enhances growth and developmental opportunities. However, little is known about responsive feeding practices among IYC in Rwanda. This study explored the status and barriers of responsive feeding practices among mothers from rural areas of Muhanga District in Rwanda.

This descriptive longitudinal and exploratory mixed methods study was conducted among 29 mothers from 2 rural health centers in Muhanga District. Mothers were interviewed, and their interactions with children during lunch meals at 6, 9, and 12 months were observed. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed using Atlas.ti software.

The study shows that the number of mothers who reported to verbally encourage their children to eat during feeding increased with the child's age. Less than half of mothers, at all three time points of data collection (at 6, 9, and 12 months), reported and were observed allowing their children to self‐feed, smiling and talking to them during feeding. The perceived major barriers to mother–child interaction during feeding were lack of time due to the burden of other responsibilities, and poverty. In addition, fear of messing up and food waste were barriers to child self‐feeding opportunities.

Findings indicate that responsive feeding was less practiced among study mothers due to lack of time, poverty, and fear of food waste during child self‐feeding. Nutrition interventions in this community should consider raising awareness of responsive feeding practices through education and encouraging mothers to devote sufficient time to interact with their children during feeding episodes.

This study revealed that less than half of mothers, at all three time points of data collection (at 6, 9, and 12 months), reported and were observed allowing their children to self‐feed, smiling, and talking to them during feeding. The study also found that the perceived major barriers to mother–child interaction during feeding were lack of time due to other responsibilities, poverty, and concerns about mess and food waste.