Predictors of maternal control of feeding at 1 and 2 years of age.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the best predictors of maternal use of controlling feeding practices at 1 and 2 years of age.


METHODS
A longitudinal study from birth to 2 years.


METHODS
Sixty-two mothers of 2-year-old children.


METHODS
Infant weight at birth, 6, 12 and 24 months, breastfeeding history, infant temperament and feeding difficulties at 6 and 12 months, maternal demographics at 12 and 24 months, maternal mental health at 6 and 12 months, maternal controlling feeding practices at 12 and 24 months.


RESULTS
Controlling feeding practices at 1 year were predicted by perceptions of infant temperament at 6 months, birth weight, length of breastfeeding, mental health at 6 months, and mealtime negativity at 6 months. Parental control over feeding when their child reached 2 years was predicted by the mother's tendency to use that particular strategy at 1 year in combination with the perceptions of infant temperament and feeding problems at 1 year, weight at 1 year, length of breastfeeding in infancy, and/or maternal mental health at 1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
Breastfeeding appears to promote subsequent monitoring, and is associated with reduced use of pressurising and restrictive feeding practices. Infant characteristics are important predictors of control at both 1 and 2 years of age. The use of controlling feeding practices is relatively stable from 1 to 2 years.
Blissett
J
J
School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. j.blissett@bham.ac.uk
Farrow
C
C
D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires