How should father support be in breastfeeding?: A systematic review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10976093Keywords:
breastfeeding, father support, paternal support, father's role, systematic reviewAbstract
Aim: Breastfeeding is the newborn's best chance for a good start in life. Breastfeeding is seen primarily as the mother's duty. However, the participation and support of the father as well as the mother in breastfeeding will help breastfeeding to be more effective and long-lasting.The purpose of this systematic review is to seek answers to the question “How should father support be in breastfeeding?”
Materials and Methods: The study was carried out based on a literature review on Web of Science, Pubmed, Scholar Google, EBSCO Host, and Science Direct databases. The keywords used in the search were "father support," "paternal support," "father's role," and "breastfeeding". The search strategy was prepared by using MESH (Medical Subject Headings) terms. All qualitative studies on the subject were discussed.
Results: A total of 177 studies were examined. 11 studies were included in the review. The main themes obtained; emotional support, giving support in practical matters, having knowledge about breastfeeding and breast milk, developing a positive attitude towards breastfeeding, and active involvement in the decision-making process.
Conclusion: Fathers' knowledge about and attitudes towards breastfeeding, involvement in the decision-making process, and their practical and emotional support about breastfeeding were highly important in terms of the initiation and continuation of breastfeeding and the mother’s coping with the problems in the breastfeeding process. When fathers receive counseling services together with mothers and take part in education programs, this will enable them to have a positive attitude towards breastfeeding and to be effective on mothers' decisions.
References
Victora CG, Bahl R, Barros AJD, França GVA, Horton S, KRasevec J. et al. Breastfeeding in the 21st century: Epidemiology, mechanisms, and lifelong effect. The Lancet 2016;387(10017):475–90; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)01024-7
Vieira Borba V, Sharif K, Shoenfeld Y. Breastfeeding and autoimmunity: Programing health from the beginning. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 2018;79(1):e12778; https://doi.org/10.1111/aji.12778
Rouw E, von Gartzen A, Weißenborn A. The importance of breastfeeding for the infant. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2018;61(8):945–5; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-018-2773-4
Yasmeen T, Kumar S, Sinha S, Haque MA, Singh V, Sinha S. Benefits of breastfeeding for early growth and long term obesity: A summarized review. International Journal of Medical Science and Diagnosis Research 2019;3(1):190–4; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330701579
Hansen K. Breastfeeding: A smart investment in people and in economies. The Lancet 2016;387(10017):416; https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00012-X
Thepha T, Marais D, Bell J, Muangpin S. Facilitators and Barriers to Exclusive Breastfeeding in Thailand: A Narrative Review. Journal of Community & Public Health Nursing 2017;3(1):1–9; DOI: 10.4172/2471-9846.1000160
Aryeetey R, Dykes F. Global implications of the new WHO and UNICEF implementation guidance on the revised Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Matern Child Nutr 2018;14(3):1-4; https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12637
Riaz S, Condon L. The experiences of breastfeeding mothers returning to work as hospital nurses in Pakistan: A qualitative study. Women and Birth 2019;32(2):e252–8; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.06.019
World Health Organization, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services: implementing the revised Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative; 2018. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/272943/9789241513807-eng.pdf [Last accessed: 01/15/2023].
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, World Food Programme, World Health Organization. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World: Safeguarding against economic slowdowns and downturns. Rome; 2019. Available from: https://www.fao.org/3/ca5162en/ca5162en.pdf [Last accessed: 01/15/2023].
Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies. 2018 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). Hacettepe University Institute of Population Studies, T.C. Presidency Strategy and Budget Department and TUBITAK; 2019. Available from: https://hips.hacettepe.edu.tr/tr/2018_turkiye_nufus_ve_saglik_arastirmasi-55 [Last accessed: 01/15/2023].
Gözükara F. Key Factor in Successful Breastfeeding: Providing Father's Support and Nurse's Roles. Journal of Harran University Faculty of Medicine 2014;11(3):289–96.
Alberdi G, O’Sullivan EJ, Scully H, Kelly N, Kincaid R, Murtagh R, et al. A feasibility study of a multidimensional breastfeeding-support intervention in Ireland. Midwifery 2018;58:86–92; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2017.12.018
Nickerson LE, Sykes AC, Fung TT. Mothers’ experience of fathers’ support for breast-feeding. Public Health Nutr 2012;15(9):1780–7; DOI: 10.1017/S1368980011003636
Denoual H, Dargentas M, Roudaut S, Balez R, Sizun J. Father’s role in supporting breastfeeding of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: a qualitative stud. BMJ Open 2016;6(6):e010470; http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010470
Rempel LA, Rempel JK, Moore KCJ. Relationships between types of father breastfeeding support and breastfeeding outcomes. Matern Child Nutr 2017;13(3); https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12337
Tadesse K, Zelenko O, Mulugeta A, Gallegos D. Effectiveness of breastfeeding interventions delivered to fathers in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review. Matern Child Nutr 2018;14(4):1-9; https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12612
deMontigny F, Gervais C, Larivière-Bastien D, St-Arneault K. The role of fathers during breastfeeding. Midwifery 2018;58:6–12; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2017.12.001
Bich TH, Long TK, Hoa DP. Community-based father education intervention on breastfeeding practice—Results of a quasi-experimental study. Matern Child Nutr 2019;15(S1):e12705; https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12705
Mahesh PKB, Gunathunga MW, Arnold SM, et al. Effectiveness of targeting fathers for breastfeeding promotion: Systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2018;18(1):1–14; https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6037-x
World Health Organization, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund. Capture The Moment- Early initation of breastfeeding: The best start of every newborn. New York; 2018. Available from:https://www.unicef.org/eca/media/4256/file/Capture-the-moment-EIBF-report.pdf [Last accessed: 01/15/2023].
Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG,Group P. Reprint—Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement. Phys Ther 2009;89(9):873–80; https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/89.9.873
Hong QN, Fàbregues S, Bartlett G, Boardman F, Cargo M, Dagenais P, et al. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version 2018 for information professionals and researchers. Education for Information 2018;34(4):285–91; DOI:10.3233/EFI-180221
Higgins JPT, Thomas J, Chandler J, Cumpston M, Tianjing L, Page MJ, et al. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 2019;1–694. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/9781119536604 [Last accessed: 01/15/2023].
Tohotoa J, Maycock B, Hauck YL, Howat P, Burns S, Binns C. Dads make a difference: An exploratory study of paternal support for breastfeeding in Perth, Western Australia. Int Breastfeed J 2009; 4(1):1–9; https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4358-4-15
Sherriff N, Hall V. Engaging and supporting fathers to promote breastfeeding: a new role for Health Visitors? Scand J Caring Sci 2011;25(3):467–75; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-6712.2010.00850.x
Henderson L, McMillan B, Green JM, Renfrew M. Men and Infant Feeding: Perceptions of Embarrassment, Sexuality, and Social Conduct in White Low-Income British Men. Birth 2011;38(1):61–70; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2010.00442.x
Avery AB, Magnus JH. Expectant Fathers’ and Mothers’ Perceptions of Breastfeeding and Formula Feeding: A Focus Group Study in Three US Cities. Journal of Human Lactation 2011;27(2):147–54; https://doi.org/10.1177/0890334410395753
Mithani Y, Premani ZS, Kurji Z, Rashid Z. Exploring Fathers’ Role in Breastfeeding Practices in the Urban and Semiurban Settings of Karachi, Pakistan. J Perinat Educ 2015;24(4):249–60; DOI: 10.1891/1058-1243.24.4.249
Muda SM, Rozi MSM, Arifin SRM, Makhtar A. The Perceptıons of Marrıed Men on Breastfeedıng Practıce. International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences 2017;4(2):95–109; http://publichealthmy.org/ejournal/ojs2/index.php/ijphcs/article/view/405
Hounsome L, Dowling S. “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. Int Breastfeed J 2018;13(1):1–10; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-018-0145-1
Merritt R, Vogel M, Ladbury P, Jonhson S. A qualitative study to explore fathers’ attitudes towards breastfeeding in South West England. Prim Health Care Res Dev 2019;20:1-7; DOI: 10.1017/S1463423618000877
Srisopa P, Lucas R. Maternal perception of paternal breastfeeding support: A secondary qualitative analysis. Midwifery 2021;102:103067; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2021.103067
Lundquist A, McBride BA, Donovan SM, Wszalek M. Father support for breastfeeding mothers who plan to utilize childcare: A qualitative look at Mothers’ perspectives. Appetite 2022;169:10585;. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105854
Pisacane A, Continisio GI, Aldinucci M, D’amora S, Continisio P. A Controlled Trial of the Father’s Role in Breastfeeding Promotion. Pediatrics 2005;116(4):e494–8; https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2005-0479
Brown A, Davies R. Fathers’ experiences of supporting breastfeeding: challenges for breastfeeding promotion and education. Matern Child Nutr 2014;10(4):510–26; https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.12129
Bulemela J, Mapunda H, Snelgrove-Clarke E, MacDonald N, Bortolussi R. Supporting breastfeeding: Tanzanian men’s knowledge and attitude towards exclusive breastfeeding. Int Breastfeed J 2019;14(1):1–7; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13006-019-0244-7
Ngoenthong P, Sansiriphun N, Fongkaew W, Chaloumsuk N. Integrative Review of Fathers’ Perspectives on Breastfeeding Support. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing 2020;49(1):16–26; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2019.09.005
World Health Organization. Global Nutrition Targets 2025: Breastfeeding policy brief. World Health Organization: Geneva; 2014. Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/149022/WHO_NMH_NHD_14.7_eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y [Last accessed: 01/15/2023].
World Health Organization. Baby-friendly hospital initiative: revised, updated and expanded for integrated care. Geneva, Switzerland; 2009. Availabla from: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43593/9789241594981_eng.pdf;sequence=5 [Last accessed: 01/15/2023].
Negin J, Coffman J, Vizintin P, Raynes Greenow C. The influence of grandmothers on breastfeeding rates: A systematic review. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2016;16(1):1–10; https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-016-0880-5
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Journal of Social and Analytical Health
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
JSOAH is licensed under a 