My name is Denise Kowalski. I am a nursing student at the University
of North Dakota. I am interested in how fathers' attitudes towards
breastfeeding can influence the mothers' decisions not to nurse. The United
States lacks behind other countries in breastfeeding, although it has been
proven that breastfeeding is superior to bottle-feeding. Therefore, I am
wondering what impact fathers have on breastfeeding.
The Office of the U.S. Surgeon General (2000) reported that only 64%
of American mothers breastfeed in the early postpartum period, with only
29% still breastfeeding 6 months after birth. Only 19% of African-American
mothers were still breastfeeding at six months. According to Shepherd,
Power, and Carter (2000) fathers of bottle-feeding babies were found to
have limited knowledge of health benefits of breastfeeding to both mothers
and infants. Fathers of both bottle and breast-feeding babies were also
found to be more embarrassed than their partners about mothers in general
breastfeeding in front of non-family members. Research by Susin et al.
(1999) was performed to see if parental breastfeeding knowledge increases
breastfeeding rates. Their study was prompted by other studies which
indicated that men felt that breastfeeding was bad for the breasts, made
breasts ugly, and interfered in the couple's sexual relationship. Their
study showed that when couples received adequate information on
breastfeeding, their knowledge on breastfeeding increased as did the
duration of breastfeeding. Other studies also concluded that mothers'
perceptions of fathers' attitudes have a great influence on them.
Can you please share some of the experiences you have had with
fathers? For example, what are the fathers' attitudes when you invite them
to breastfeeding counseling sessions? Have you heard many negative or
positive comments from fathers about breastfeeding? Any response you can
give on this subject would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
Sources:
Arora, S., McJunkin, C., Wehrer, J. & Kuhn, P. (2000). Major factors
influencing breastfeeding rates: Mother's perception of father's attitude
and milk supply. Pediatrics Electronic Pages 106 (5): e67. Retrieved
February 18, 2001 from World Wide Web:
http://www.pediatrics,org/cgi/content/full/106/5/e67
Office of the U.S. Surgeon General (2000). Surgeon general releases
first comprehensive framework to increase breastfeeding rates and promote
optimal breastfeeding practices. The Office on Women's Health-US Department
of Health and Human Services. Retrieved February 18, 2001 from Word Wide
Web: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/press.htm
Shepard, C. K., Power, K. G. & Carter, H. (2000). Examining the
correspondence of breastfeeding and bottle-feeding couples' infant feeding
attitudes. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 31 (3), 651-660.
Susin, L. R., Giugliani, E. R., Kummer, S. C., Maciel, M., Simon, C. &
daSilveira, L. C. (1999). Does parental breastfeeding knowledge increase
breastfeeding rates? Birth, 26 (3), 149-156.
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