Background: Maternal competence in infant feeding is important to foster infant growth and development; however, maternal competence has been defined inconsistently using a variety of terms in relation to different contexts. Aim: This work provides an analysis of the concept of maternal competence in the context of infant feeding. Methods: The concept was analyzed using Walker and Avant's eight-step concept analysis method. Results: Maternal competence in infant feeding is defined as the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, responsiveness, and sensitivity that are required to provide optimal infant feeding. The concept's antecedents are the mother-infant relationship, maternal expectations, and support systems. The consequences are optimal nutrients intake, maternal confidence, infant's self-regulation and infant’s healthy growth and development. Conclusions: This concept analysis identified all related attributes and provided a clear definition of maternal competence in infant feeding. Information from this analysis can be used to develop a conceptual framework for maternal competence in infant feeding.

competence, concept analysis, confidence, infant feeding