Responsive Feeding

Behavior: Mothers or caregiver interacts with child during feeding.

• Children of mothers or caregivers who are passive and non-responsive to their needs are more likely to be malnourished than children of attentive mothers or caregivers. In addition to nutritional benefits, interactive feeding stimulates a child's verbal and intellectual development.
• Learning to chew and swallow is a new experience for the baby who knows only how to suckle at the breast. Mothers or caregivers should be patient. They should encourage but not force the baby to eat his or her food.