Résumé
Context. Inadequate food diversification (FD) may cause an increased prevalence of diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and allergies. Contextual factors may influence it and particularly psycho-affective factors.
Aim. To understand the practices of FD through the mothers' lived experience.
Methods. Phenomenological qualitative study exploring the lived experience. Ten volunteer mothers were recruited. Semi-structured individual interviews and a semio-pragmatic analysis of the verbatim were conducted to understand the FD as experienced by the mothers.
Results. Three main categories emerged from the analysis: Mothers considered meal realization in a socio-educational dimension integrating FD as a critical step of the development and a self-sufficient process of the child; successful FD helped to maintain the original mother-child bond, implied the need to do well and generated anxiety, awareness about the uniqueness of their children entailed a tension regarding their decisions between the medical advice which they often found inconstant and inappropriate as well as their applications.
Conclusion. FD is a component of mental, psycho-affective development and a socio-educational step that shapes the child's uniqueness. Physicians should customize their approach during the consultation by listening, responding and supporting in order to give appropriate and achievable medical advice.