Work

Parents' Transcultural Attitudes and Knowledge Concerning Human Milk Exchange: A Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta‐Aggregation

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: If mother's own milk (MOM) is unavailable or insufficient, human milk exchange (HME) on a formal, informal, or commodified basis may be considered. Religion and culture are critical to human milk banking opinions. The review aims to understand parents' transcultural knowledge and attitudes towards HME. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) meta-aggregation approach was used to synthesize the qualitive evidence. The comprehensive search strategy encompassed systematic research within four databases, hand searching, free web searching, citation searching, and contacting authors. Identified papers were evaluated with the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Confidence in the synthesized findings was rated using ConQual. Twenty-four primary studies were included. These concerned formal, informal, mixed, and unknown HME types. In total, 162 findings were summarized into 16 categories and four synthesized findings. All synthesized findings achieved a moderate ConQual score. HME attitudes and knowledge are informed by religious beliefs, especially milk kinship, and cultural needs, particularly myths. Cultural and religious preferences regarding dyad formation between donor and recipient demonstrate how attitudes and knowledge shape HME acceptance. The identified networks constitute the social context in which attitudes and knowledge develop. Various religious traditions and cultural needs which shape attitudes and knowledge about HME were identified. Heterogeneity within social groups should be considered. Researchers should investigate migration, gender dynamics, and myths. Healthcare professionals (HCP) should consider misconceptions, cultural and religious needs, and social circles. Policymakers should consider developing types of human milk bank (HMB) which are religion- and culture-sensitive.

Source: Maternal and Child Nutrition

DOI: 10.1111/mcn.70278

Authors: Julia Will, Vivian Kirchhoff, Julia Lühnen, Jalid Sehouli, Antje Tannen

Institutions: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Language: English

Topic: Breastfeeding Practices and Influences

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,130