Father's Role on the Exclusive Breastfeeding

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is a difficult time for a mother. A mother hopes that she can fully breastfeed in the first 6 months of her baby's life. But unfortunately, breastfeeding mothers often face various problems in baby care which result in disruption of breastfeeding such as stress due to not being adapted to being a mother, or due to pressure from the surrounding environment. The role of a partner is very important in helping mothers deal with problems that may arise. Father's support can help mothers, especially in their coping, in dealing with stress that may arise when breastfeeding. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the father's role during the breastfeeding period to achieve the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: This research method used a cross-sectional design which was carried out in Bangka Belitung Islands Province. The study was conducted on 35 married couples who have babies between 6 months to 1 year old. The aspects of the father's support that were assessed were financial, emotional, and physical. Quantitative data were analyzed using an independent t-test, while qualitative data were analyzed using chi-square. Results: The results of statistical analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between financial support (p = 0.372), emotional support (p = 0.166), and physical support (p = 0.227) on the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Although there is a close relationship if the three aspects are given together without reducing one aspect of support (p = 0.009). Conclusion: This shows that the father's support must include all three aspects, both financial, emotional, and physical to determine the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of breastfeeding fathers in the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: This research method used a cross sectional design which was carried out in Desa Tanjung Gunung, Kabupaten Bangka Tengah, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung. The study was conducted on 35 married couples who have babies between 6 months to 1 year old. Results: The results of statistical analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between financial support (p = 0.372), emotional support (p = 0.166) and physical support (p = 0.227) on the success of exclusive breastfeeding. Although there is a close relationship if the three aspects are given together without reducing one aspect of support (p = 0.009). Conclusion: This shows that the father's support must include all three aspects, both financial, emotional and physical to determine the success of exclusive breastfeeding..

Fathers’ Attitudes Toward Mothers with Infants and its Association with Exclusive Breastfeeding in a Rural Community of Karnataka

“…The study by Yanti ES and Damayani AD showed that the fathers’ financial and emotional support was not related to success in EBF, which was similar to the findings of our study. [ 16 ] This phenomenon may be attributed to the fact that fatherhood in the Indian context is carried out in a “non-patriarchal” manner, exercising household power at the same level as the mother and sharing household chores and childbearing activities. [ 15 ] The study findings are comparable to those of qualitative research done by Tampah-Naah AM, Kumi-Kyereme A, and Amo-Adjei J, which showed that household chores and family influences were few of the challenges faced by mothers toward EBF in Ghana.…”

How Can Support From Fathers Increase Breastfeeding in Children?

“…This may be since all three forms of support must be given simultaneously to significantly influence the mother's breastfeeding process [14].…”

Factors Related to Exclusive Breastfeeding: Review Article

“…Internal factors are the level of knowledge, health condition, attitudes, and perceptions of the mother. Meanwhile, external factors include support from people closest to them, health workers, promotion of formula milk and culture (Purwanti, 2004, Widyawati, 2020. Exclusive breastfeeding will be healthier compared to babies who are non-exclusively breastfed, namely being given formula milk.…”