Attitudes of expectant fathers regarding breast-feeding.
Fathers participate in choosing the feeding method for their newborns. However they traditionally have not been included in most breast-feeding education programs. To examine expectant fathers' attitudes and knowledge regarding breast-feeding, we surveyed 268 men during the first session of their childbirth education classes at five private hospitals in Houston, Texas. The study population was 81% white, 8% black, and 6% hispanic. Ninety-seven percent (n = 259) of the total were married. Fifty-eight percent (n = 156) reported that their spouses planned to breast-feed exclusively; several significant differences existed between these men and those who reported plans for exclusive formula feeding. The breast-feeding group was more likely to believe breast-feeding is better for the baby (96% vs 62%; P less than .0001), helps with infant bonding (92% vs 53%; P less than .0001), and protects the infant from disease (79% vs 47% P less than .001). The breast-feeding group was also more likely to want their partner to breast-feed (90% vs 13%; P less than .0001) and to have respect for breast-feeding women (57% vs 16%; P less than .0001). Conversely, those in the formula feeding group were more likely to think breast-feeding is bad for breasts (52% vs 22%; P less than .01), makes breasts ugly (44% vs 23%; P less than .05), and interferes with sex (72% vs 24%; P less than .0001). The majority of both groups indicated breast-feeding was not acceptable in public (breast-feeding = 71%, formula feeding = 78%, P less than .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Freed
G L
GL
Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7105.
Fraley
J K
JK
Schanler
R J
RJ
D001290:Attitude; D001903:Bottle Feeding / Q000523:psychology; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009769:Object Attachment