Fathers' experiences of supporting breastfeeding

Challenges for breastfeeding promotion and education

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15536569
AutoresAmy Brown (0000-0002-0438-0157, Swansea University, autor de correspondencia), Ruth Davies (0009-0001-3832-5092, Swansea University)
Año2014
Volumen10
Número4
Páginas510-526
Fecha de publicación2014-04-10
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.12129
PMID24720518
PMCIDPMC4282396
OpenAlexW1863611768
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas30
Referencias citadas69

Increasing breastfeeding rates is a strategic priority in the UK and understanding the factors that promote and encourage breastfeeding is critical to achieving this. It is established that women who have strong social support from their partner are more likely to initiate and continue breastfeeding. However, little research has explored the fathers' role in breastfeeding support and more importantly, the information and guidance he may need. In the current study, 117 men whose partner had given birth in the previous 2 years and initiated breastfeeding at birth completed an open-ended questionnaire exploring their experiences of breastfeeding, the information and support they received and their ideas for future breastfeeding education and promotion aimed at fathers and families. Overall, the findings showed that fathers were encouraging of breastfeeding and wanted to be able to support their partner. However, they often felt left out of the breastfeeding relationships and helpless to support their partner at this time. Many reported being excluded from antenatal breastfeeding education or being considered unimportant in post-natal support. Men wanted more information about breastfeeding to be directed towards them alongside ideas about how they could practically support their partner. The importance of support mechanisms for themselves during this time was also raised. The results highlight the need for health professionals to direct support and information towards fathers as well as the mother-infant dyad and to recognise their importance in promoting and enabling breastfeeding

Breastfeeding · Breastfeeding promotion · Developmental psychology · Dyad · Family medicine · Promotion (chess · Social support · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Pediatrics