Autistic women’s views and experiences of infant feeding: A systematic review of qualitative evidence

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Grant, A., Jones, S., Williams, K., Leigh, J., & Brown, A. (2022). Autistic women’s views and experiences of infant feeding: A systematic review of qualitative evidence. Autism, 26(6), 1341-1352. https://doi.org/10.1177/13623613221089374

Publication date: 12 Apr 2022 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
5
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 5 (40.0%)
  1. Aimee Grant *
  2. Sara Jones
  3. Kathryn Williams *
  4. Jennifer Leigh
  5. Amy Brown

Abstract

Low breastfeeding rates are driven by multiple bio-psycho-social factors. Experience of breastfeeding is known to differ by maternal demographic factors (age, education and ethnicity) but there is less recognition of factors such as neurodivergence. This review, prospectively registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021271465), systematically identified qualitative research, commentaries and personal accounts related to Autistic mothers and infant feeding. Database searching identified 1225 records, with thematic synthesis undertaken on 22 (eight peer-reviewed studies and 14 grey literature) pieces. Our analysis identified that maternity and infant feeding services were built on a lack of understanding of Autistic needs, and were often inaccessible at a time when Autistic mothers already felt a loss of control and lack of social support. Specifically relating to breastfeeding, knowledge and determination were often high, and a minority of mothers reported positive breastfeeding experiences. However, sensory challenges, pain and interoceptive differences (exacerbated by a lack of support) made breastfeeding impossible for some. Infant formula was viewed as second-best to breastmilk, but a minority of mothers found the ritual of preparing bottles of formula positive. There is an urgent need for maternity and infant feeding services to accommodate the needs of Autistic mothers, including service design and staff training. Lay abstract What is already known about the topic? Mothers are encouraged to breastfeed their babies due to known health benefits for both babies and mothers. However, although breastfeeding is ‘natural’, that does not make it easy and many women experience challenges. Autistic women may face additional barriers to breastfeeding when compared to neurotypical women. What this paper adds? We reviewed all existing evidence on Autistic mothers’ infant feeding experiences (22 pieces) and found that although many Autistic women wanted to breastfeed, breastfeeding was difficult for Autistic mothers for three key reasons. First, maternity and infant feeding services were inaccessible and unsupportive to Autistic mothers, meaning they did not receive help when needed. Second, becoming a mother was challenging because of exhaustion, loss of control over routines and a lack of social support. Third, when breastfeeding Autistic mothers experienced sensory challenges, such as ‘being touched out’, and pain, which could feel unbearable. Despite these difficulties, many Autistic mothers had done a lot of reading about breastfeeding and were determined to breastfeed their babies; some mothers found breastfeeding positive. Infant formula was often viewed as second-best compared to breastmilk, but some mothers found the ritual of preparing bottles of formula to be calming. Implications for practice, research or policy The findings of this work show that Autistic mothers urgently need better support from health professionals to help meet their breastfeeding goals, including how to remove or reduce the extra barriers being Autistic brings to breastfeeding.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:30.

Cited references
47
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
2 / 47 (4.3%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
7 / 136 (5.1%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 7 / 28 (25.0%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 7 / 131 (5.3%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
28 / 136 (20.6%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 24 / 131 (18.3%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
21 / 28 (75.0%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 21 / 136 (15.4%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 17 / 24 (70.8%).
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