Vegetables by stealth. An exploratory study investigating the introduction of vegetables in the weaning period

► Mothers introduced solid food to their infants at around 20 weeks of age. ► Mothers who breast-fed their infants tended to introduce solid foods later. ► Infants were offered around 3 types of vegetable during the first weeks of weaning. ► Mothers perceived vegetables to be an integral part of the diet. ► Offering vegetables by stealth was one of the most commonly identified strategies. Few studies have examined in detail weaning practices and how mothers introduce vegetables into the diets of their infants. The current exploratory study set out to use both qualitative and quantitative methods to investigate approaches to nutrition in the weaning period and in early infancy with a particular focus on vegetables. 75 mothers of infants aged 24–72 weeks filled out a postal questionnaire regarding infant feeding during the weaning period. Mothers completed the infant feeding questionnaire (IFQ) and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to measure familial fruit and vegetable intake. Mothers introduced solid food to their infants at around 20 weeks of age and those who breast-fed their infants tended to introduce solid foods later compared to formula feeding mothers (21 wks versus 17.8 wks, p < 0.05). Infants were offered around 3 different types of vegetable during the first 4 weeks of weaning. 13 mothers then took part in a follow-up in-depth interview. Mothers reported that they relied upon advice from family and friends and their interpretation of cues from their infants indicating the readiness for food, rather than relying on official guidelines. Mothers demonstrated high concern about the nutrient quality of their child's diet and perceived vegetables to be an integral part of the diet. A number of strategies for promoting vegetable intake were identified by mothers, offering vegetables by stealth was one of the most commonly identified strategies.