The benefits of breastfeeding are well researched and well reported. Nonetheless, the incidence of breastfeeding among low-income, African American women is only 19 percent, well below the Healthy People 2010 goal of 50%. Given that several studies have acknowledged the influence of the father’s opinion and support on a woman’s decision to breastfeed, fathers are a logical target of interventions designed to increase the incidence of breastfeeding.
The purpose of this prospective pilot study is to assess whether the fathers’ participation in a breastfeeding promotion course prenatally will increase rates of initiation and duration of breastfeeding.
This study is being conducted in Baltimore City. Couples are recruited during the second trimester. Intervention fathers attend a two-hour class on baby care and breastfeeding promotion. Control fathers attend a class on baby care only.
This paper will describe the intervention. Practical suggestions will be presented regarding recruitment and retention of study participants. Descriptive statistics will be presented on the characteristics of study participants. Preliminary results will be presented comparing breastfeeding rates in the intervention and the control groups.
Learning Objectives: Participants will understand the benefits of involving fathers in a breastfeeding promotion program during the prenatal period. Participants will understand the feasibility of delivering a breastfeeding advocacy course to expectant fathers.
Keywords: Breast Feeding,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.