Table 1 Intervention time-frame and focus for the InFANT Extend Program
Infant age | Emerging behaviours | Anticipatory guidance intervention focus (group, newsletters, Facebook® to 18 months; newsletters and Facebook® 18–36 months) |
|---|---|---|
3mo | Early weaning and introduction of solids. Introduction of nutrient poor foods. Parents development of a feeding style | To support parents to delay weaning/introduction of solids to around 6 months To provide basic principles related to best practice in early feeding To introduce basic concepts regarding parental feeding styles and how these might relate to beliefs about parenting. |
6mo | Adoption by parents of a feeding style and TV viewing habits Food rejection by infants | To develop parents’ understanding regarding: *feeding styles and impact on children’s eating *basic nutrition principals * sedentary behaviours in families To introduce national recommendations for no screen exposure (television viewing) until 2 years of age and reasons for this To develop parents’ understanding of ‘normal’ food rejection and how to interpret and manage |
9mo | Increasing use of TV Parents’ increased awareness of child mobility. Infant crawls and pulls self upright and walks with handhold | To develop understanding regarding: * parental modeling of eating, sedentary and physical activity behaviours * impact of eating, activity and sedentary behaviours on health of children and adults and the provision of opportunities to promote healthy eating and engagement in play |
12 mo & 15 mo & 18 mo | Increasing autonomy of child in eating and activity Infant stands without support and beginning to walk | Continued development of themes/skills regarding: * eating and moving for health – parents and children * how to feed/how to manage food rejection and demands * providing fail-safe food and activity environments |
21,24,27,30,33,36 mo | Child independence in activity and feeding; desire to be in control and to choose | Continued development of themes/skills regarding: * eating and moving for health – parents and children * how to feed/how to manage food rejection and demands Practical strategies for incorporating more active play into family routines Development of fundamental movement skills through everyday play * providing supportive food and activity environments |