Lydia Furman1, Steve Killpack2, Lisa Matthews3, Valeria Davis3, Mary Ann O'Riordan1. 1. 1 Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital , Cleveland, Ohio. 2. 2 Community Endeavors Foundation, Inc. , Cleveland, Ohio. 3. 3 Cleveland Department of Public Health MomsFirst™ Program , Cleveland, Ohio.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Our objective was to pilot a method of engaging fathers/partners of high-risk inner-city mothers in breastfeeding support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breast for Success was a breastfeeding promotion initiative with a father engagement component. In collaboration with Community Endeavors, Inc., we organized father-friendly evening programs (one night per week for 3 weeks, repeating quarterly) led by a male facilitator to provide breastfeeding education, with ongoing availability of a resource specialist to link men to community resources relevant to their legal, financial, and health needs. Fathers/partners were recruited from community programs and via our community partner, The City of Cleveland Department of Public Health MomsFirst™ Project, a federally funded Healthy Start program. University Hospitals Case Medical Center Institutional Review Board approved the study. RESULTS: Sixty-six fathers/partners attended eight evening programs, and 30 (45%) attended all three nights. Their median age was 27.5 years (range, 17-64 years), and 49 (74%) self-described themselves as African American. At the start of the groups, 39% (21/54 responding) had a breastfed child, and 64% (39/61 responding) said they were comfortable with breastfeeding for their own child. After Sessions 1, 2, and 3, respectively, 40 (85%), 42 (89%), and 33 (80%) were "more likely" to want their next baby to breastfeed. On average, in 62% of all responses (278/450 possible), men endorsed learning "a lot more" about the 10 breastfeeding curriculum topics presented. CONCLUSIONS: Recruitment of inner-city fathers/partners for a breastfeeding education program was feasible, and among men who attended, fathers' perceptions about their breastfeeding knowledge were positively impacted.
PURPOSE: Our objective was to pilot a method of engaging fathers/partners of high-risk inner-city mothers in breastfeeding support. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breast for Success was a breastfeeding promotion initiative with a father engagement component. In collaboration with Community Endeavors, Inc., we organized father-friendly evening programs (one night per week for 3 weeks, repeating quarterly) led by a male facilitator to provide breastfeeding education, with ongoing availability of a resource specialist to link men to community resources relevant to their legal, financial, and health needs. Fathers/partners were recruited from community programs and via our community partner, The City of Cleveland Department of Public Health MomsFirst™ Project, a federally funded Healthy Start program. University Hospitals Case Medical Center Institutional Review Board approved the study. RESULTS: Sixty-six fathers/partners attended eight evening programs, and 30 (45%) attended all three nights. Their median age was 27.5 years (range, 17-64 years), and 49 (74%) self-described themselves as African American. At the start of the groups, 39% (21/54 responding) had a breastfed child, and 64% (39/61 responding) said they were comfortable with breastfeeding for their own child. After Sessions 1, 2, and 3, respectively, 40 (85%), 42 (89%), and 33 (80%) were "more likely" to want their next baby to breastfeed. On average, in 62% of all responses (278/450 possible), men endorsed learning "a lot more" about the 10 breastfeeding curriculum topics presented. CONCLUSIONS: Recruitment of inner-city fathers/partners for a breastfeeding education program was feasible, and among men who attended, fathers' perceptions about their breastfeeding knowledge were positively impacted.
Authors: Yvonne L Hauck; Ingrid Blixt; Ingegerd Hildingsson; Louise Gallagher; Christine Rubertsson; Brooke Thomson; Lucy Lewis Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2016-10-10 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Lesley Kuliukas; Yvonne L Hauck; Anita Jorgensen; Kelly Kneebone; Sharyn K Burns; Bruce R Maycock; Jane A Scott Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2019-01-29 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Angela Marie Johnson; Rena Menke; Jonathan Eliahu Handelzalts; Kiddada Green; Maria Muzik Journal: Breastfeed Med Date: 2021-03-10 Impact factor: 2.335