Our research project on complementary feeding in summation:
Day 1: Observe women who have children 6-24 months of age who are still being breastfed but are also receiving other foods as well. These observations will be recorded for any food fed during the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, as well as breastfeeding events.
Day 2: A different field worker returns to the same house that was observed the day before, this time giving a questionnaire to the mother regarding what she fed her child the day before and the way she interacted with the child during the feeding episodes.
The observations and the questionnaires will be analyzed in comparison at a later date to look at breast feeding, complementary feeding (adding in food after 6 months), and responsive feeding (interactive nature between the mother and the baby before and during feeding).
Right now, we are in the middle of training the people who will be going out into the field to do these observations and questionnaires. Our group is trying to make sure we have consensus on our responses so that we have valid results throughout the study. The funny part is...what we end up discussing:
'When the baby is in the mother's lap sitting down, is the baby considered "sitting" or is the baby being held by the mother?'
'When the baby then stands up, is it considered standing or being carried by the mother?'
'Also, when the baby is on the mother's lap, is the mother frente al frente (facing the child), al costado (beside the child), or atras (behind the child)?'
We had the first discussion yesterday...and it literally took 15 minutes to come to a consensus about what was what. The same applied for the second decision today. It makes me giggle a little inside although I totally know it is necessary so that everyone is on the same page for research validation purposes. However, the part that was extremely frustrating a few days ago is now a little but humorous as well. All the women want to weigh in on the decision...but they want to do it at the same time. It would be overwhelming in English too I'm afraid...and that's my native language. We go out into the field on Monday although everyone living at or near my house will be in Cuzco so I get to find my way to the Institute before we head out into the field to begin observations. Suhweet. I also have a weekend to explore and learn my part of the city...THAT, I am excited about!
Top picture: our house
Bottom picture: training session at IIN
2 comments:
Hi my Katherine,
I never know where I'm going to find you! You may get 2 almost identical messages from me because I got mixed up on signing in.
Anyway, I am so proud of you! You are doing such exciting, wonderful things...I love you. Remember Aunt Kay by taking lots of wonderful photos so I can paint them...Love, Aunt Kay
Katherine, I never know where I'm going to find you next! What exciting, interesting, and wonderful things you are doing - while contributing to the world at the same time. Remember your Aunt Kay by taking photos when you have time.
I love you! Aunt Kay
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