News and EventsNeeds of bottle feeding mothers not being met
15th July 2009
A review of mothers' experiences of bottle-feeding by the MRC has shown that many feel that they do not receive sufficient information and support from healthcare providers about how to bottle-feed correctly. It also shows that they experience feelings of guilt because they are not breast-feeding.
Scientists from the MRC Epidemiology Unit reviewed studies that reported the experiences of over 13,000 mothers that had fed their babies from a bottle using formula milk.
"Our review suggests that information and support on bottle-feeding may be inadequate in many settings. Of course we should encourage mothers to breast-feed; however once a decision is made to bottle-feed, mothers should be instructed and supported to do this correctly."
Dr Raj Lakshman, lead author from the MRC Epidemiology Unit, Cambridge
Mothers reported that they felt that midwives spent more time providing information and advice to mothers that were breast-feeding compared to those that were bottle-feeding their babies. It was also common for errors in formula preparation to be reported.
"Inadequate information can lead to errors in measurement and overconcentration of feeds and these appear to be common. Some of these can have consequences for the health of babies including rapid weight gain and obesity in later life."
Senior author Dr Ken Ong, Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist from the MRC Epidemiology Unit, Cambridge
The study found that mothers who bottle fed experienced a variety of negative emotions including guilt, anger, and uncertainty. They also felt that there was unreasonable pressure put on them to breastfeed.
The UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative and recent guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) on postnatal care, while promoting breastfeeding also recognise that parents who are giving their babies formula feeds should be offered appropriate and tailored advice to ensure this is undertaken safely.
The findings described in this article are taken from the following publication:
Lakshman R, Ogilvie D and Ong K. Mothers' experiences of bottle feeding: a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies. Arch Dis Child. 2009 July 14. Published online in advance of print.
doi: http://adc.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/adc.2008.151910v1
