Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41992862›Full record

SynthesisMaternal & child nutrition2026

Mothers' Experiences of Formula Feeding Support in the UK: A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Eilish James, Gary Hoang, Daniel Lange, Kate Jolly, Joanne Clarke

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Maternal & child nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Eilish JamesDepartment of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Gary HoangCollege of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Daniel LangeDepartment of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Kate JollyDepartment of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
Joanne ClarkeDepartment of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-2563-5451

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Most babies in the UK and Ireland receive formula milk in their first 6 months of life. Understanding mothers' perceptions of formula feeding support is crucial in shaping practical guidelines, research-based strategies and future policies to support formula feeding decisions. This review aimed to synthesise qualitative evidence on mothers' experiences of formula feeding support in the UK and Ireland. The Cochrane Handbook guidance for systematic reviews was followed and MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science and ASSIA (ProQuest) databases were searched. Ten included papers were assessed for methodological quality using a CASP checklist. The Thomas and Harden three-stage approach was used to thematically synthesise the data. The synthesised findings include: (1) Limited support for formula feeding, (2) Withheld or conflicting healthcare professional support, and (3) Emotional health and wellbeing impact on mothers. Mothers who formula feed require empathetic, formal guidance from HCPs as they navigate their feeding journey. This review highlights predominantly negative experiences due to inadequate support received. Formula feeding support should be recognised as an essential element in perinatal care. Future research could investigate effective interventions for formula feeding support strategies.

Indexed as

Bottle FeedingInfant FormulaMothersFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornInfant Nutritional Physiological PhenomenaIrelandQualitative ResearchSocial SupportUnited Kingdombottle feedingformula feedinginfant feedinginfant formulaqualitativesupportsystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41992862
PMCPMC13087542

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.