Literature review for - Flourish Paediatrics

Fathers and Breastfeeding
There is sufficient evidence to make a statement on the role of fathers in supporting the
decision to breastfeed. There are supportive studies from Australia and China.
There is an association between breastfeeding and the support of fathers for breastfeeding.
Mothers who have the support of the infants father are more likely to initiate breastfeeding
and to breastfeed for longer.
Data were extracted from 10 studies, including 8 prospective cohort studies and 2 crosssectional
studies. Data from 10 publications were used to form the final body of evidence
statement, which included 6 studies of Australian women, 4studies of Chinese women and
one from Vietnam. Breastfeeding outcomes investigated included breastfeeding initiation/ at
discharge and breastfeeding duration.
What is the association between fathers supporting the decision to breastfeeding and
breastfeeding outcomes?
Draft Evidence statement
When the infant’s father is supportive of breastfeeding,
initiation of breastfeeding is more likely and the duration
will be longer for any breastfeeding
Draft Grade
B
Component Rating Notes
Evidence Base Good 9 cohort studies, 1 cross-sectional studies ,
Consistency Good All except one of the studies found a positive effect. The
study by Forster found a univariate effect, but no results
given for the multivariate analysis which was reported as not
significant.
Clinical impact Good Generally consistent association across cultures
Generalisability Excellent All studies involved either Australian women or women
from relevant population sub-groups
Applicability Satisfactory Studies of Chinese women are relevant to the Australian
healthcare context
The results of the studies reported are all consistent except for the RCT by Forster. However
the RCT by Forster was a trial of an antenatal intervention. There was no specific
intervention related to fathers. Hence this should be classified as a cohort study in this
context. A RCT just being completed (FIFI Study, Perth WA) which trialled a specific
educational intervention for fathers did show a an effect and will be published shortly
(Tohotoa, Binns)
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