The Role of Fathers in Promoting Exclusive Breastfeeding

The cornerstone of a newborn's nutrition is breastfeeding. Due to its well-known benefits for mothers, children, and society in the short and long term, the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) recommend it as the best way of feeding the baby during the first six months of life. The family, particularly the spouse, may significantly influence the baby's quality of nursing. On a global scale, previous studies have demonstrated that family members (such as a mother's spouse, partner, or grandmother) not only affect her choice to start and endure breastfeeding but also significantly contribute to the early postnatal period's cessation of appropriate breastfeeding. A father's knowledge and attitude are fundamental in this regard, as he has the most critical role in helping women with parenting and feeding their babies. Furthermore, because the father's role is considered important in a family, the partner's or wife's perception of the father's attitude may alter her subjective criteria about exclusive breastfeeding (EBF). Future initiatives should target new mothers and their spouses to see how they may provide the most beneficial assistance to new mothers. The main focus should be on targeting newly married couples. The father's lack of involvement may be due to the hierarchical structure of power within households. Because of this hierarchical aspect, partners or fathers may significantly influence a mother's choice to nurse their child correctly. Household chores, childcare for grown-up children, guaranteeing the well-being of their spouse, preparing meals, recognizing a newborn's hunger cues, burping, and changing the infant's diaper after feedings, all these factors indirectly support the mother in initiating and enduring the nursing of a child.