A University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust project funded by the Hugh Greenwood Legacy Fund for Children’s Health Research.
Infant colic and reflux (IC/R) are common in babies and makes them irritable, unsettled, and cry excessively. Many parents find it difficult to cope with their baby’s distress, which negatively affects their confidence, the relationship with the baby, and their mental health.
Investigating the Acceptability and Feasibility of Three Online Interventions for Caregivers of Infants with Feeding Difficulties
Leanne Jackson, Ruth Drury, Giovanni Paolo Azzaro, Eduardo Coutinho, Leonardo De Pascalis, Vicky Charnock, Sian M. Davies, Clare Jones, Helen McIlroy, Sharon Remmington, Hannah Sloan, Melanie Thomas, Francine Verhoeff and Victoria Fallon
The outcomes of the project have been published in the article Investigating the Acceptability and Feasibility of Three Online Interventions for Caregivers of Infants with Feeding Difficulties in INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing. The study evaluated three online approaches, peer support, health education, and music-based support, for caregivers of infants affected by colic, gastro-oesophageal reflux and cow's milk protein allergy.
The findings showed that recruitment challenges limited the feasibility of implementing the interventions as planned. Nevertheless, the peer support intervention was viewed positively by both participating mothers and healthcare professionals. Participants particularly valued the opportunity to connect with others experiencing similar challenges, while a dedicated WhatsApp community provided flexible access to emotional and practical support.
The study highlights both the opportunities and challenges of delivering digital support to families of infants with feeding difficulties and suggests that online peer support may be a promising approach for enhancing caregiver wellbeing. The findings also provide important guidance for the development of future digital health interventions in this area.