An evaluation of midwives' knowledge of formula feeding and their role in supporting mothers who formula feed their infants.

OBJECTIVE To explore midwives' knowledge of and support for formula feeding and to identify barriers that may prevent midwives giving information to mothers who formula feed their infants. METHOD The study was designed in two phases using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The total sample was 132 midwives. Guidance on ethical approval was obtained from the National Research Ethics Service. RESULTS The study identified that many midwives had a lack of knowledge of formula milks and that limited support is available for mothers who formula feed. This was compounded by a lack of unbiased literature for both mothers and midwives and a lack of understanding and/or a misinterpretation of policies. CONCLUSIONS National guidelines support a policy of health professionals giving mothers who formula feed the information they require. Mothers who have chosen to formula feed need this information to ensure their infants receive nourishment that is appropriate and is safely and correctly reconstituted. Recommendations are made for clinical practice that should have potential health benefits for infants who are formula fed while not undermining breast-feeding.