Effect of Feeding Stimulators on Intake of Complementary Foods among Infants and Toddlers Age Six Months to Two Years in Oluyole Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: To ensure that infant gets adequate nutrition, it’s essential to assist the child to eat in a responsive-feeding environment rather than forced-feeding. This study evaluated the effects of feeding-stimulators on intake of complementary-food among infants and toddlers aged six months to two years. Study Design: The study was a combination of cross sectional and experimental study which involved nursing mothers with infant aged 6-24 months in Oluyole Local Government. Place and Duration of Study: Nursing mothers who attended primary health care centres in Oluyole Local Government Area, Oyo State were sampled for this study, between January and March, 2021. Methodology: One hundred and twenty (120) nursing mothers who specified that they had difficulties in feeding their children were sampled for this study. Ninety (90) nursing mothers were selected for intervention while the remaining thirty (30) nursing mothers were used as the control. Structured questionnaire was administered to the nursing mothers and their infants’ anthropometry measures were recorded. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (T-test). Results: Findings revealed that 62.2% of the nursing mothers specified that after introduction of complementary food, their infants received the new complementary food. Furthermore, it was discovered that most of the nursing mothers specified that their children accepted the food when they dished the food in a colorful plates and spoon, used toys with sounds, played songs from the phone and played cartoons through phones. There was a significant increase (t(89) = 2.467, P = .02**) in the food intake level of children with feeding stimulators than infants without feeding stimulators. Likewise, there was a significant improvement in anthropometric measurement among the infants after the usage feeding stimulators. Conclusion: It was concluded that stimulation consistently benefit child development, and nutritional status. It is recommended that care givers and health-workers ought to be enlightened on the usage of feeding stimulators in children’s nutrition.