Hanna Palmqvist1, Josefine Zäther2, Margareta Larsson3. 1. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: hannina@hotmail.com. 2. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: josefinezather@hotmail.com. 3. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: margareta.larsson@kbh.uu.se.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding has benefits for mother and child and the partner's support influences the decision as well as the duration of breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to describe partners' knowledge and feelings regarding breastfeeding and how they reason about equality and involvement during the lactation period. METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 7 male and 2 female partners (labelled co-mothers) of breastfeeding mothers. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological approach. RESULTS: The main theme Wish for the child to be breastfed/get breast milk described the informants' desire that their child was breastfed and this desire was based on knowledge of benefits of breastfeeding but also on intuitive feelings of breastfeeding as something natural. The main theme Effect of breastfeeding on fathers/co-mothers described how breastfeeding affected the informants and their relationship to the child and the mother in different ways. The main theme Adaptation and acceptance described how informants accepted the impact that breastfeeding had and/or adapted to it and continued to wish for the child to receive breast milk. CONCLUSION: The informants desired that their children be breastfed/get breast milk. Breastfeeding affected the informants in different ways, which they handled by adapting to and accepting the situation, and they expressed a continued desire that their children be breastfed/get breast milk. Parental classes should include both parents to be and address how breastfeeding can be successfully performed and supported without threatening the equality between the parents.
BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding has benefits for mother and child and the partner's support influences the decision as well as the duration of breastfeeding. The aim of this study was to describe partners' knowledge and feelings regarding breastfeeding and how they reason about equality and involvement during the lactation period. METHODS: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 7 male and 2 female partners (labelled co-mothers) of breastfeeding mothers. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using a phenomenological approach. RESULTS: The main theme Wish for the child to be breastfed/get breast milk described the informants' desire that their child was breastfed and this desire was based on knowledge of benefits of breastfeeding but also on intuitive feelings of breastfeeding as something natural. The main theme Effect of breastfeeding on fathers/co-mothers described how breastfeeding affected the informants and their relationship to the child and the mother in different ways. The main theme Adaptation and acceptance described how informants accepted the impact that breastfeeding had and/or adapted to it and continued to wish for the child to receive breast milk. CONCLUSION: The informants desired that their children be breastfed/get breast milk. Breastfeeding affected the informants in different ways, which they handled by adapting to and accepting the situation, and they expressed a continued desire that their children be breastfed/get breast milk. Parental classes should include both parents to be and address how breastfeeding can be successfully performed and supported without threatening the equality between the parents.
Authors: Yan-Shing Chang; Kan Man Carmen Li; Kan Yan Chloe Li; Sarah Beake; Kris Yuet Wan Lok; Debra Bick Journal: Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci Date: 2021-05-03 Impact factor: 6.671
Authors: Maria Adriana Burgio; Antonio Simone Laganà; Angela Sicilia; Romana Prosperi Porta; Maria Grazia Porpora; Helena Ban Frangež; Giovanni DI Venti; Onofrio Triolo Journal: Iran J Public Health Date: 2016-08 Impact factor: 1.429