Navigating Without a Compass: A Qualitative Study on Parents' Infant Formula Handling
Erika Andresen1,2, Paola Oras1, Gunilla Norrman3
1Department of Women's and Children's Health Uppsala University Uppsala Sweden.
Food Science & Nutrition
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Parents often struggle with safe infant formula preparation and storage due to insufficient guidance. This study highlights the need for better professional support and adherence to safe formula feeding guidelines for infant health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- WHO guidelines stress safe formula feeding, yet many infants receive unsafe formula due to parental handling challenges.
- Limited research exists on infant formula handling practices in Swedish settings.
- Parents often face difficulties with formula preparation, storage, and cleaning procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore and describe parents' practices and experiences in handling infant formula.
- To investigate parents' experiences with information on safe formula handling.
- To identify potential needs for improved guidance and support in safe formula feeding.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving individual semi-structured interviews with 15 mothers experienced in formula feeding.
- Verbatim transcription of interview data.
- Analysis using qualitative content analysis to identify themes and categories.
Main Results:
- An overarching theme of
- Navigating alone without a compass, with a desire for a safe journey
- was identified, with categories including varying safe handling methods, challenges, the need for guidance, and other influencing factors.
- Mothers employed diverse safe handling methods but faced challenges, receiving insufficient professional information and relying on informal sources.
- Lack of information and support led to feelings of shame and guilt, while positive emotions and cost influenced formula use.
Conclusions:
- Current guidance on safe formula feeding may not be a priority within the healthcare system.
- There is a critical need to review the quality, implementation, understanding, and adherence to national and local safe formula feeding guidelines.
- Improving professional information and support is essential to promote optimal infant health and reduce parental distress.
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