Fathers’ perspectives on the breastfeeding experience: a qualitative study

Breastfeeding offers numerous short-, medium-, and long-term benefits for the physical and mental health of both mother and child and strengthens the bond between them. As the extent of these benefits is associated with breastfeeding duration, the WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months and continuation alongside complementary foods until at least the end of the second year of life. While studies suggest that fathers play a crucial role in breastfeeding success and duration, comparatively less attention has been paid to how fathers experience and negotiate their role in the breastfeeding process in everyday family life. This qualitative study interviewed 11 fathers with a semi-structured guideline 2 months after the birth of their first child for an in-depth understanding of fathers' expectations, attitudes, and involvement in the breastfeeding process. Fathers were recruited on postnatal wards and selected for the interviews based on age, mode of birth, breastfeeding situation 2 months postpartum, and migration background, aiming to achieve a heterogeneous sample. Most fathers recognized the benefits of breastfeeding but also noted disadvantages, such as reduced father involvement. Formula feeding was recognized as acceptable, especially when breastfeeding was not possible, and was sometimes viewed as enabling greater paternal participation and a more equitable distribution of caregiving. Fathers critiqued the societal pressure on mothers to breastfeed and perceived emotional barriers that hindered their own involvement in the feeding process and the father-child relationship. Most fathers expressed a desire to have a say in decisions, but also believed that the mother should have the final word. These findings suggest that fathers' support for breastfeeding is embedded in a complex relational process shaped by appreciation, ambivalence, and negotiated involvement. Specific educational programs that actively include fathers could enhance their support in the breastfeeding process and thereby positively influence breastfeeding success. Father-inclusive education and support strategies should therefore address not only knowledge gaps, but also the emotional and relational complexities of the paternal role in breastfeeding.