Starting solids – parents’ and whānau experiences

This study aims to understand how parents and whānau experience starting solids with their babies, including feeding choices, challenges, and sources of support.

Mother holding baby at table looking at laptop screen

What’s involved?

Taking part involves completing a short, anonymous online questionnaire about your experience of starting solids.

  • Complete an online questionnaire (approximately 10 minutes).
  • Answer questions about feeding practices, foods offered, challenges, and sources of information.
  • Complete the questionnaire on your phone, tablet, or computer, at a time that suits you.

As a thank-you, participants can choose to enter a draw to win one of five $100 supermarket vouchers.

Eligibility criteria

To participate, you must:

  • be a parent, caregiver, or whānau member of a baby aged 0–24 months
  • be aged 16 years or older 
  • be able to read and understand English well enough to complete the
    questionnaire.

Your baby may already be eating solid foods or may not have started yet – both experiences are welcome.

Contact details

For more information about this study or to take part, please see the information sheet below or contact:

Dr Amy Lovell
Lead Investigator
Email: a.lovell@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: 021 0205 9300

Dr Jeanette Rapson
Researcher / study contact
Email: jeanette.rapson@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: 021 077 3419

Further information

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee on 6 March 2026 for three years. Reference: AH30915.