TABLE 2.

Acceptability and feasibility of complementary feeding recommendations and father engagement

Emergent themes	Illustrative quotes
Acceptability and feasibility of complementary feeding recommendations
Giving thick porridge and family foods was acceptable to most mothers and fathers	“Before we used to add a lot of water [to porridge], but nowadays we just add a little water. Also, he never ate any meat, but nowadays he eats meats and not only the broth.” – Father 27 years with son 9 months “I make nutritional porridge with maize, dagaa, ground nuts, beans, several things. The porridge is thick, because if you make it light, it is like nothing. A mother should make a thick porridge, fill the cup, and feed the child with a spoon.” – Mother 45 years with son 10 months
Avoiding sugary snacks and drinks was also acceptable to mothers and fathers	“I liked that recommendation to stop giving sweets and biscuits because those things are harmful. Sweets and biscuits have too much sugar which is not good for the baby … My family members agreed and said it is not good to give the baby sweets and biscuits.” – Mother 27 years with son 17 months “I educated the family members not to give the baby biscuits. I educated them that the foods that we give the baby, for instance tinned juice, soda, and biscuits are not healthy for the child.” – Father 35 years with daughter 8 months
Mothers and fathers were motivated by changes they observed in their child	“The first change I noticed is she has gained weight. When you look at her face, she looks beautiful, not like back then. Now she is glowing.” – Father 27 years with daughter 9 months “Since I started feeding him as you instructed me, the changes I see are he is becoming healthier and does not cry every now and then as he used to and he can play just fine.” – Mother 37 years with son 11 months
Those who fed their children responsively reported positive results	“The thing I liked was that the child ate food that she did not usually eat. I felt so happy, amazed, because even when I do not have money I know that if I prepare this food for the child and sing to her, she will eat and like it. I have seen that when I feed her and praise and clap and show her that I am happy, it has helped her to eat all of the food that she is given.” – Mother 27 years with daughter 16 months “I tried being at home during meal times so that I could eat with my child and encourage him. I made it seem like a game and that he should like whatever he is eating.” – Father 28 years with son 10 months
Buying foods specifically for babies was a barrier for many families due to costs and availability	“The difficulty is availability of green vegetables and being short of money to buy fruits. There would be no difficulty if there is no shortage of money to buy fruits and no scarcity of green vegetables.” – Mother 39 years with son 12 months “The difficulty was getting money to buy meat. Sometimes you do not get it.” – Father 47 years with son 13 months
Seasonal variation in income and food availability were prominent barriers	“To be honest, I did not have vegetables. They were dry when I searched. I have searched for them now and have not found any.” – Mother 33 years with son 8 months “Incomes often decrease from September to December. Less income limits my ability to provide fish, milk, and dagaa, but I can manage to provide ugali and beans. Now we are selling small amounts of coffee and maize, so we can buy and provide these foods for the child. But, I doubt we will be able to in the future.” – Father 44 years with son 7 months
A few mothers reported challenges with feeding	“When I added an egg [to the thick porridge] and gave it to him, he vomited … I decided not to try eggs again … you know most people do not give their children eggs.” – Mother 38 years with son 16 months
Father support and spousal relationships
Fathers supported complementary feeding, which mothers confirmed and appreciated	“My husband is supporting me in all aspects, especially with food … he is so close to the child. When he finds the child crying, he will hold him … he helps a lot. He is the one who buys food for the child and sometimes he feeds him … What I like most is that we are helping each other to bring up our child … Our child gets love from both parents.” – Mother 26 years with son 7 months
A few fathers reported feeding their children	“When they prepare the food for me, I invite him, he comes and we eat on the same plate together. I have been doing this almost every day since it was recommended to me. It makes me happy. At first he was not used to it, when I used to invite him he used to refuse until he got used to it. Others in my family are happy seeing me eating with my child. Some fathers may not want to try this because small children have a tendency of getting food on you and smothering you with food, but when they come to my house and see how I eat with my child, then they will learn from us. The child sees that he is not segregated and he also likes it. I will continue because the child will learn how to feed himself and he will feel loved by each parent.” – Father 27 years with son 9 months
Fathers reported helping with chores and caring for their children	“I thought if she is doing all the chores, maybe she will not be able to prepare food for the child, so I decided to help [fetch firewood] … she was happy … She saw I was able to help her with something she never expected.” – Father 28 years with son 18 months “My wife said that I should continue playing with my child when I get home from work. Then when my wife is preparing the food, my child can eat happily.” – Father 24 years with son 10 months
Fathers talked about their relationships with their children	“From what I can see, they may think that maybe they are being disrespected by their wives. Because most fathers do not like to stay close to their children; if he is seated there he will either call or wait for the mother to come feed the baby porridge or ask a sibling to feed the baby porridge. But a kid cannot feed the baby porridge properly; it is the responsibility of an elder to feed the baby porridge. They can do this as it makes them happy being closer to their children since raising children is the responsibility of both father and mother and it should not be left for the mother to do it alone.” – Father 25 years with son 6 months
Fathers reported increased cooperation with their spouse	“I saw good results, because household tasks are to be done in collaboration. And my family members are very happy … they were happy since they saw us helping one another and even the other family members saw. It was good and even simplifying the work for her because you join together.” – Father 37 years with son 11 month
Fathers wanted to encourage others fathers to be involved	“Now I can tell my fellow fathers that for a baby to be healthy, we fathers should not leave our children only to their mothers. Wives and husbands have to work together as a family.” – Father 46 years with son 15 months
Fathers reported helping with chores, which was confirmed by a few mothers (couple analysis)	“The father helps with drawing water and collecting firewood for me, so I can cook … when I go out for a bit, he feeds the baby porridge.” – Mother 33 years with son 9 months “Nowadays, fetching water is far, I was able to bring, and also firewood. I went and brought them because she is being with the baby at home so I should find those things … The thing that I like is that when I do this work, the baby gets his meal at a good time, mother gets to make special porridge. So I must continue doing this so the baby could get a good meal.” – Father 39 years with son 9 months