Parents' Experiences of Feeding Preterm Infants After Hospital Discharge: A Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION: Feeding preterm infants after hospital discharge presents multifaceted challenges for parents, particularly mothers, extending beyond nutritional adequacy to include emotional, practical, and identity-related dimensions. Despite the clinical importance of optimal nutrition, the post-discharge feeding journey remains underexplored in qualitative literature. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesise qualitative evidence on the lived experiences of parents feeding preterm infants after hospital discharge, identifying key challenges, coping strategies, and gaps in support systems. Guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute framework, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, with studies selected using the Population-Concept-Context framework. Thirty-eight qualitative studies published between 1995 and 2025 were included. Five thematic domains were identified: feeding challenges and practical barriers, emotional and identity dimensions, support systems and guidance, adaptations and coping strategies, and transition to complementary feeding. Mothers frequently reported emotional strain, inadequate support, and conflicting advice, with feeding practices shaped by normative neonatal intensive care unit routines that often persisted after discharge and intersected with infant immaturity. Socioeconomic constraints further exacerbated feeding difficulties, particularly in low-resource settings, and a gap in studies addressing complementary feeding was identified. Feeding preterm infants post-discharge is a complex and emotionally charged experience requiring comprehensive, individualised, and emotionally attuned support to promote parental confidence and infant well-being. Future research should address paternal perspectives, longitudinal experiences, and complementary feeding practices to inform holistic care strategies.