Hounsome Luke, Dowling Sally
Public Health England, Rivergate House, 2 Rivergate, Bristol, UK.
2University of the West of England, Bristol, Glenside Campus, Blackberry Hill, Stapleton, Bristol, UK.
Int Breastfeed J. 2018 Jan 16;13:3. doi: 10.1186/s13006-018-0145-1. eCollection 2018.
Although breastfeeding is widely acknowledged as the normal method of infant feeding, there are large variations in rates of initiation and duration. Several factors are linked to the likelihood of breastfeeding initiation, including the influence and opinion of the child's father. There is limited research into men's perception of their influence, or if they feel it appropriate to be involved in deciding how to feed their children. The aim of this study was to investigate, using a qualitative methodology, fathers' perceptions of their influence on the decision to feed their child breastmilk or formula.
Six men were recruited through Children's Centres in Bristol, United Kingdom, and a phenomenological research methodology implemented using semi-structured interviews. Specific objectives were: to understand participants' views on breastfeeding; understand if and how these views were discussed with their partner; to determine if participants believed involvement in the feeding decision is appropriate; to understand how they felt about the decision made; and to see if their views changed after the birth of their child.
Multiple themes emerged during analysis, including deferring of responsibility to the mother; breastfeeding as normal practice; change in attitude; involvement in parenting; and, advantages for the father. The men in the study accepted breastfeeding as normal behaviour, probably because of their upbringing in households where breastfeeding was practiced. There was consensus that women had more say in deciding to breastfeed, which was explained as a consequence of their greater involvement. It could also be interpreted as an unwillingness to interfere in an area perceived as 'owned' by women. Participants acknowledged that breastfeeding was more difficult than they had perceived.
The key themes emerging from the interviews are suggestive of an impact on breastfeeding interventions that use the father as an intermediary. If they do not feel that they are 'permitted' to comment on their partner's breastfeeding, then simply increasing knowledge of breastfeeding benefits in these men is likely to have minimal impact.
尽管母乳喂养被广泛认为是婴儿喂养的正常方式，但母乳喂养的起始率和持续时间存在很大差异。有几个因素与开始母乳喂养的可能性有关，包括孩子父亲的影响和意见。关于男性对自身影响力的认知，或者他们是否认为参与决定如何喂养孩子是合适的，相关研究有限。本研究的目的是采用定性研究方法，调查父亲对其在决定用母乳或配方奶喂养孩子方面影响力的认知。
通过英国布里斯托尔的儿童中心招募了六名男性，并采用半结构化访谈实施现象学研究方法。具体目标包括：了解参与者对母乳喂养的看法；了解这些看法是否以及如何与伴侣讨论；确定参与者是否认为参与喂养决策是合适的；了解他们对所做决定的感受；以及观察他们在孩子出生后的看法是否发生变化。
分析过程中出现了多个主题，包括将责任推给母亲；母乳喂养是正常做法；态度转变；参与育儿；以及对父亲的好处。研究中的男性接受母乳喂养是正常行为，这可能是因为他们在实行母乳喂养的家庭中长大。大家一致认为，女性在决定母乳喂养方面有更大发言权，这被解释为她们参与度更高的结果。这也可以被理解为不愿意干涉被视为女性“专属”的领域。参与者承认母乳喂养比他们想象的更困难。
访谈中出现的关键主题表明，对以父亲为中介的母乳喂养干预措施有影响。如果他们觉得自己“不被允许”对伴侣的母乳喂养发表意见，那么仅仅增加这些男性对母乳喂养益处的了解可能影响甚微。
