A method of operating an Integrated Access Backhaul, IAB, node in a wireless communication network is provided. The IAB node is arranged to communicate backhaul traffic wirelessly with a parent node and a child node. The method comprises: receiving a duplexing pattern configuration message from the parent node; transmitting a duplexing pattern configuration message to the child node; receiving a duplexing pattern configuration acknowledgment message from the child node; after receiving the duplexing pattern configuration acknowledgment message from the child node, applying a duplexing pattern contained within the duplexing pattern configuration message received from the parent node; and transmitting a duplexing pattern configuration acknowledgement message to the parent node.