JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Low breastfeeding rate causes an increased healthcare burden and negative health outcomes for individuals and society. Co-parenting is an essential tactic for encouraging breastfeeding when raising a child. However, the efficacy of the co-parenting interventions in enhancing breastfeeding-related outcomes is controversial. There is a pressing need for more rigorously designed studies to fully comprehend the potential benefits of incorporating fathers into co-parenting targeted at promoting effective breastfeeding practices.

Objective:

To examine the effects of co-parenting interventions on exclusive breastfeeding rates, exclusive breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding knowledge, parenting sense of competence, co-parenting relationships, depressive symptoms in new couples at one and six months postpartum, and the body mass index of infants 42 days following birth.

Methods:

This was a randomized, single-blinded controlled clinical trial. A total of 79 eligible couples in late pregnancy being seen at the obstetric department of a hospital in central China, were randomly assigned to two groups. While couples in the control group received general care, couples in the intervention group had access to parenting classes, a fathers’ support group and individual counseling. Data were collected at baseline (T0), one month postpartum (T1), and six months postpartum (T2). Data on exclusive breastfeeding rate and exclusive breastfeeding duration were analyzed using x2 test or Fisher exact tests; co-parenting relationship and infant’s body mass index was analyzed by independent-samples T-test; breastfeeding knowledge, parenting sense of competence and depressive symptoms were analyzed by generalized estimation equation.

Results:

The intervention group exhibited significantly higher exclusive breastfeeding rates at T1 (89.74% vs. 65%, P=0.020) and T2 (43.59% vs. 22.50%, P=0.020), compared to the control group. Exclusive breastfeeding duration was extended in the intervention group than in the control group at T1 (30.00 (30.00-30.00) days vs. (30.00 (26.50-30.00) days, P=0.014) and T2 (108.00 (60.00-180.00) days vs. (89.00 (28.00-149.25) days, P=0.045). Maternal breastfeeding knowledge was improved at T1, while fathers exhibited enhancement at T2. At T1, levels of parenting sense of competence were elevated; Both T1 and T2 witnessed a strengthening of co-parenting relationships. Paternal depressive symptoms were reduced at T2, and infant’s body mass index was increased at 42 days postpartum.

Conclusions:

An evidence-based breastfeeding co-parenting intervention is effective in improving exclusive breastfeeding rate, prolonging exclusive breastfeeding duration within the initial six months following childbirth, improving parental breastfeeding knowledge, levels of parenting sense of competence and co-parenting relationship, infant’s body mass index, and reducing paternal depressive symptoms. Clinical Trial: ChiCTR.org.cn (ChiCTR2300069648)