The chance of successful breastfeeding is greater when the baby’s father also considers it important, according to a new American study, published in Pediatrics. The authors’ objective was to uncover the influence of paternal characteristics on the initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding, as well as on the child’s safe sleeping practices.
Researchers evaluated questionnaires from 250 participants in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for Dads [Sistema de monitoramento de avaliação de risco na gravidez para pais, em tradução livre]a population-based study conducted in 2018 and 2019 in the United States that assesses the health needs of men and their families in the transition to fatherhood.
The breastfeeding initiation rate was almost total, 95.4% of babies whose parents wanted them to breastfeed. This number was 68.7% in those whose parents were indifferent in this regard. And this difference remained after eight weeks: the number of babies who continued to be breastfed by their mother was 77.5% versus 33.3%.
It is known that being able to start and maintain breastfeeding is a major challenge. For researchers, engaging fathers or partners who have not given birth in discussions about breastfeeding, as well as showing how they can support mothers and babies, could be a way to help increase breastfeeding rates.
“It is a period that can be interspersed with difficulties, frustrations and anguish for some mothers. That is why the support of family and partner is an essential point for the success of this journey”, says pediatrician Romy Zacharias, physician coordinator of the neonatology team at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.
“The joint will and physical presence of parents or partners who support this objective offers emotional support in difficult times and helps in the division of tasks with caring for the newborn. This way, the mother does not feel alone and we observe that breastfeeding becomes more efficient and prolonged”, assesses the doctor.
That’s what happened to Robson Celestino Prychodco, 39 years old. He says that, when his wife became pregnant, he tried to do his homework: he took courses, accompanied her to appointments, sought information and got involved in planning the birth. “I always had this availability and desire to participate,” he says.
“After my son was born, I tried to help organize her routine, create a favorable environment to facilitate breastfeeding and provide the support she needed, including details such as reminding her to stay hydrated.” His son Dimitri, now 11 years old, breastfed until he was two years old. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health recommend exclusive breastfeeding until six months of age and, in addition to other foods, until two years of age or more.
“Traditionally, men occupy an ancillary position in everything that involves caring for children and this does not have to be the case. Today I see how much the lack of a father from an early age affects a child’s life and how much this involvement brings you closer to your son and his wife”, says Prychodco.
Now they are starting to wean the youngest, Ravi, who is two years and four months old. “My wife really wanted to breastfeed and is very determined. But I think the quality of breastfeeding and the cost would be different if I hadn’t been so involved”, says the father.
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The study also showed that almost all parents (99%) put their baby to sleep and the vast majority of them (85%) knew the correct position at sleep time. However, around a third were unaware of any of the other recommendations. It is worth remembering that the baby should always sleep on his back, in the crib, on a firm surface. It should not be placed on cushions or sofas, for example, or share a parent’s bed. The crib should also be free of soft objects such as pillows, toys and stuffed animals, comforters, quilts and loose sheets.
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