Fathers' perceptions of supportive behaviors for the provision of breast milk to premature infants.
OBJECTIVE
To explore fathers' perceptions of behaviors used to support the provision of breast milk to hospitalized premature infants.


METHODS
Sixteen English-speaking fathers who, each were at least 15 years of age, had a hospitalized premature infant between 24 and 32 weeks gestation and a partner who had decided to provide breast milk.


METHODS
As part of a larger, exploratory study, a qualitative descriptive study was conducted to analyze fathers' perceived contributions to the process of providing breast milk.


METHODS
Fathers were interviewed with a semi-structured interview guide. All interviews were audiotaped, and verbatim transcripts were analyzed by using qualitative descriptive methods.


METHODS
Supportive behaviors as identified by fathers of hospitalized premature infants.


RESULTS
Fathers described 3 types of behaviors used to support the provision of breast milk to their hospitalized premature infants: assistance with the pumping process, assumption of additional daily domestic responsibilities, and provision of moral support.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this study suggest several significant behaviors that fathers perceived they performed to support their partners' efforts to provide breast milk to their hospitalized premature infants.
Smith
Joan R
JR
St. Louis Children's Hospital, One Children's Place, NICU/5E-10, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. joanrs@bjc.org
Jamerson
Patricia A
PA
Bernaix
Laura W
LW
Schmidt
Cynthia A
CA
Seiter
Lorraine
L
D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support