Coparenting Breastfeeding Support and Exclusive Breastfeeding: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a coparenting intervention on exclusive breastfeeding among primiparous mothers and fathers.METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a large teaching hospital in Toronto, Canada. Couples were randomized to receive either usual care (n = 107) or a coparenting breastfeeding support intervention (n = 107). Follow-up of exclusive breastfeeding and diverse secondary outcomes was conducted at 6 and 12 weeks postpartum.RESULTS: Significantly more mothers in the intervention group than in the control group continued to breastfeed at 12 weeks postpartum (96.2% vs 87.6%, P = .02). Although proportionately more mothers in the intervention group were exclusively breastfeeding at 6 and 12 weeks, these differences were not significant. Fathers in the intervention group had a significantly greater increase in breastfeeding self-efficacy scores from baseline to 6 weeks postpartum compared with fathers in the control group (P = .03). In addition, significantly more mothers in the intervention group than in the control group reported that their partners provided them with breastfeeding help in the first 6 weeks (71% vs 52%, P = .02) and that they were satisfied with their partners' involvement with breastfeeding (89% vs 78.1%, P = .04). Mothers in the intervention group were also more satisfied with the breastfeeding information they received (81% vs 62.5%, P , .001).CONCLUSIONS: The significant improvements in breastfeeding duration, paternal breastfeeding selfefficacy, and maternal perceptions of paternal involvement and assistance with breastfeeding suggest that a coparenting intervention involving fathers warrants additional investigation. WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Fathers' attitude and support affects breastfeeding outcomes. Fathers are currently not targeted in breastfeeding support and care provided by health care professionals. Breastfeeding interventions delivered to fathers have been shown to increase breastfeeding exclusivity and duration. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:A coparenting breastfeeding support intervention delivered to mothers and fathers in the postpartum period showed beneficial effects on breastfeeding duration, paternal breastfeeding confidence, breastfeeding help provided by fathers, and mothers' satisfaction with fathers' involvement with breastfeeding.

The Impact of a Prenatal Education Video on Rates of Breastfeeding Initiation and Exclusivity during the Newborn Hospital Stay in a Low-income Population

“…In addition, interventions that involve fathers, grandmothers, and/or other identified sources of social support may be more successful. 38 …”

Systematic review of the impact of coparenting interventions on paternal coparenting behaviour

“…Four trials examined parenting efficacy, which refers to the beliefs parents hold about their ability to parent successfully. Three trials reported no effects on fathers’ parenting efficacy or competence (Fagan, ; Frank, Keown, & Sanders, ; Roskam, ) while one trial found an increase in paternal breast‐feeding self‐efficacy (Abbass‐Dick et al., ).…”

Parenting Teamwork: The Impact of a Fathering Intervention on Mothers and Infants in Vietnam

“…One intervention also provided information about ways to reduce breastfeeding barriers to both parents via fathers for 5 weeks following birth (Tohotoa et al., ). However, only Abbass‐Dick, Stern, Nelson, Watson, and Dennis () directly addressed the relational aspects of support provision. In a randomized controlled trial of a coparenting breastfeeding support intervention with couples recruited on a postpartum unit, intervention parents were provided with a brief information session and a breastfeeding coparenting video, booklet, and website, and received two emails and a phone call in the first 3 weeks postpartum.…”