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Teenage mothers and breastfeeding: does paternal age make a difference?

Holly M Harner1, Deborah McCarter-Spaulding

  • 1William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, USA.

Journal of Human Lactation : Official Journal of International Lactation Consultant Association
|October 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Older paternal age influenced teenage mothers to breastfeed less often during their hospital stay. This finding highlights the need for targeted infant feeding support for adolescent mothers and their partners.

Area of Science:

  • Maternal and Child Health
  • Adolescent Health
  • Reproductive Health

Background:

  • Teenage mothers face unique challenges in infant feeding decisions.
  • Paternal involvement can significantly influence maternal health behaviors.
  • Limited research exists on the specific impact of paternal age on infant feeding choices among adolescents.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between paternal age and infant feeding method selection by teenage mothers.
  • To explore the extent of paternal influence on infant feeding decisions in adolescent pregnancies.

Main Methods:

  • Descriptive investigation utilizing survey data from 86 teenage mothers.
  • Data collected on fathers' ages and their influence on infant feeding choices.
  • Analysis focused on infant feeding methods during the postpartum hospital stay.

Main Results:

  • Fathers frequently expressed opinions on infant feeding methods.
  • Teenage mothers partnered with older fathers were less likely to breastfeed.
  • A correlation was observed between paternal age and reduced breastfeeding rates.

Conclusions:

  • Paternal age is a relevant factor in adolescent mothers' infant feeding decisions.
  • Clinical nursing practice should consider paternal age in supporting infant feeding choices.
  • Further research is warranted to understand the mechanisms behind this association.

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