6 research outputs found
'The mum has to live with the decision much more than the dad'; a qualitative study of men's perceptions of their influence on breastfeeding decision-making
© 2018 The Author(s). Background: Although breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as the normal method of infant feeding, there are large variations in rates of initiation and duration. Several factors are linked to the likelihood of breastfeeding initiation, including the influence and opinion of the child's father. There is limited research into men's perception of their influence, or if they feel it appropriate to be involved in deciding how to feed their children. The aim of this study was to investigate, using a qualitative methodology, fathers' perceptions of their influence on the decision to feed their child breastmilk or formula. Methods: Six men were recruited through Children's Centres in Bristol, United Kingdom, and a phenomenological research methodology implemented using semi-structured interviews. Specific objectives were: to understand participants' views on breastfeeding; understand if and how these views were discussed with their partner; to determine if participants believed involvement in the feeding decision is appropriate; to understand how they felt about the decision made; and to see if their views changed after the birth of their child. Results: Multiple themes emerged during analysis, including deferring of responsibility to the mother; breastfeeding as normal practice; change in attitude; involvement in parenting; and, advantages for the father. The men in the study accepted breastfeeding as normal behaviour, probably because of their upbringing in households where breastfeeding was practiced. There was consensus that women had more say in deciding to breastfeed, which was explained as a consequence of their greater involvement. It could also be interpreted as an unwillingness to interfere in an area perceived as 'owned' by women. Participants acknowledged that breastfeeding was more difficult than they had perceived. Conclusions: The key themes emerging from the interviews are suggestive of an impact on breastfeeding interventions that use the father as an intermediary. If they do not feel that they are 'permitted' to comment on their partner's breastfeeding, then simply increasing knowledge of breastfeeding benefits in these men is likely to have minimal impact
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Infant feeding attitudes of women in the United Kingdom during pregnancy and after birth
Background: To address the recognized low rates of breastfeeding in the United Kingdom (UK), a change in fundamental
attitudes toward infant feeding might be required. This paper reports an exploration of women’s attitudes toward breastfeeding
at different time points in the perinatal period, undertaken as part of a larger breastfeeding evaluation study.
Objectives: To measure women’s infant feeding attitudes at 3 stages during the perinatal period to see whether, on average,
they differed over time.
Methods: Using the 17-item Iowa Infant Feeding Attitudes Scale (IIFAS), this cross-sectional study measured the infant
feeding attitudes of 866 UK women at 3 perinatal stages (20 and 35 weeks antenatally and 6 weeks postpartum).
Results: Mean IIFAS scores were very similar, which shows that discrete groups of women at different time points in
pregnancy and postpartum appear to have the same attitudes toward infant feeding. The predominance of scores lay in the
mid-range at each of the time points, which may indicate women’s indecision or ambivalent feelings about infant feeding during
pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Conclusions: Action must be undertaken to target the majority of women with mid-range scores whose ambivalence may
respond positively to intervention programs. The challenge is to understand what would be appropriate and acceptable to
this vulnerable group of women