The role of the mother-child interaction as a factor in nursing caries (ECC): a preliminary communication

Authors:

ABSTRACT

Aim

This was to investigate the role of the mother-child interaction as a factor in nursing caries.

Methods

A convenience
sample of 34 parents whose children had been diagnosed with nursing caries (Early Childhood Caries, ECC) was gathered. A series of
non-structured interviews with parents were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using Grounded Theory.

Results

The overarching category which explained the basic social process associated with nursing caries was 'nursing caries
mothering'. The three categories which emerged characterised the basic social process of 'nursing caries mothering' were regressive
mothering, culpable mothering and convenience mothering.

Conclusion

ECC is characterised by regressive mothering, culpable
mothering and convenience mothering. In each of these typologies the bottle once used to nourish the baby has become imbued with
other behaviours and meanings. An awareness of these meanings of what the breast/bottle have come to represent should be
incorporated and form a central strand of a joined-up health promotion approach.

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