Listening to Aboriginal mothers: perspectives on infant nutrition and active play promotion

Abstract To provide culturally safe maternal and infant nutrition health promotion strategies, it is important that the views, experiences, and preferences of Aboriginal families are privileged. This study aimed to explore the views, experiences, and preferences of Aboriginal mothers’ regarding access to information and support on infant nutrition and active play in Victoria, Australia. Parents and caregivers of Aboriginal infants and children under the age of 5 years were invited to participate via Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in urban and regional Victoria. Indigenous research methods of Yarning and Dadirri were applied, and reflexive thematic analysis from an Aboriginal standpoint was used to analyse the yarn transcripts. In total, 16 participants took part, including ten mothers in individual yarns and four mothers and two grandmothers in a group-based yarn. Five themes were identified, (i) information ahead of time, (ii) ‘how to’ interactive guidance, (iii) flexible access to professional support, (iv) informal sources of support, and (v) visual, concise, culturally responsive and accessible information. This study’s findings underscore the need for timely, multi-faceted, and culturally responsive infant nutrition and active play health promotion resources for Aboriginal families in Victoria as expressed by Aboriginal mothers and grandmothers. Digital resources offer promising opportunities when developed in partnership with Aboriginal communities and used alongside personalized support from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, trusted health professionals, and family members.