Abstract
BackgroundFathers’ attitudes and actions can positively or negatively affect mothers’ intentions to breastfeed, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. In-depth information about fathers’ perspectives on breastfeeding are largely absent in the literature about infant feeding. The objective of this research was to investigate how fathers view breastfeeding.MethodsThis mixed method study recruited Tasmanian fathers with children < 24 months of age. Fathers completed a questionnaire and participated in either semi structured one-on-one or group interviews. Transcripts were analysed using a process of iterative thematic analysis.ResultsTwenty-six fathers participated in the study. They had a mean age of 34 years and just over half were first time fathers. A total of 13 fathers lived in areas classified by SEIFA as disadvantaged. Twenty-one reported they had decided as a couple to breastfeed their current child. Fathers’ views on breastfeeding are complex, multi-layered and change over time: as babies get older, as fathers get more familiar with feeding babies, when feeding practices change and when family circumstances change. Four thematic categories related to how fathers view breastfeeding were identified; Breastfeeding as healthy and natural, the value of breast feeding and breastmilk, a pragmatic approach to breastfeeding and Breastfeeding as something achieved or imposed.ConclusionFathers in our study valued breastfeeding and saw it as healthy and natural for babies. However, many of the fathers in our study had seen their partners struggle with breastfeeding. As a result some also viewed breastfeeding as a potentially harmful practice for mothers. Their accounts demonstrated that breastfeeding problems affect families, not just mothers and infants. There is scope for improvement in the care of women during and after birth to reduce breastfeeding problems and for fathers to learn more about breastfeeding prior to the birth of their child.
Highlights
Fathers’ attitudes and actions can positively or negatively affect mothers’ intentions to breastfeed, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity
Even among mothers from advantaged backgrounds, exclusive breastfeeding rates are lower than those recommended in the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines
The WHO recommends that babies be exclusively breastfed till six months of age, and for breastfeeding to continue alongside suitable complementary foods for up to two years and beyond [8]
Summary
Fathers’ attitudes and actions can positively or negatively affect mothers’ intentions to breastfeed, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Exclusive breastfeeding (where the child receives only breastmilk) to six months has a demonstrated positive impact on health during infancy that appears to continue into adulthood [2,3,4]. Fathers’ views on breastfeeding are powerful determinants of mothers’ infant feeding decisions and practices. Fathers’ attitudes and actions can positively or negatively affect mothers’ intentions to breastfeed, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity [9,10,11,12]. Some studies suggest that fathers’ perceived attitudes may be among the most powerful influences shaping mothers’ feeding choice and whether or not the mother initiates and continues to breastfeed [5, 7]
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