Agreement between Future Parents on Infant Feeding Intentions and Its Association with Breastfeeding Duration: Results from the Growing Up in New Zealand Cohort Study

Abstract

Maternal intentions are believed to have the strongest influence on infant feeding. However, what has rarely been studied, are the associations of maternal and partner intentions, and the influence these factors have on infant feeding. Our objective was to describe breastfeeding intentions of pregnant women and their partners, agreement about these intentions, and whether this agreement is associated with breastfeeding initiation and duration. This study was completed within the Growing Up in New Zealand study. Agreement between mothers and partners on intended initial infant feeding method was fair (κ = 0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17–0.25) as was intended breastfeeding duration (κ = 0.25, 95% CI 0.22–0.28). Infants whose parents agreed antenatally on breastfeeding only were more likely to have been breastfed for >6 months, after adjustment for maternal (odds ratio (OR) = 6.3, 95% CI 3.9–10.2) and partner demographics (OR = 5.7, 95% CI 3.6–9.2). Likewise, infants whose parents agreed antenatally to breastfeed for >6 months were more likely to have been breastfed for >6 months, after adjustment for maternal (OR = 4.9, 95% CI 3.9–6.2) and partner demographics (OR = 5.0, 95% CI 4.0–6.3). Interventions that promote breastfeeding to both mothers and partners which enable parents to reach agreement about intended feeding methods have the potential to increase both breastfeeding initiation and duration.

Factors associated with intention to breastfeed in Vietnamese mothers: A cross-sectional study

“…In Vietnam, the involvement of fathers in breastfeeding promotion programs could increase the early breastfeeding initiation rate, as well as exclusive breastfeeding at 4 and 6 months [ 44 , 58 ]. In other countries, women with supportive partners or sharing parenting support were more likely to intend to breastfeed [ 19 , 20 , 22 , 24 , 25 , 59 ].…”

“…Recent studies have shown that many factors can affect breastfeeding intentions. These factors include parity, previous breastfeeding experience [15,[19][20][21], seeing other women breastfeed [22,23], having a supportive partner [19,20,22,24,25], not living with any family-in-law [20], breastfeeding knowledge [26][27][28], and having a positive attitude and beliefs regarding the benefits of breastfeeding [20,22]. Each of these are modifiable factors that health practitioners can target to improve breastfeeding rates.…”

Exclusive breastfeeding in rural Western China: does father’s co-residence matter?

“…Moreover, less decision-making power is usually associated with less maternal motivation or even more mental health problem [ 35 ], which will hinder the mother to overcome the challenges associated with breastfeeding, such as continuing breastfeeding when encounter breast pains. Finally, unlike making decisions alone, more participants in a decision-making process may follow with more time to make decision, more disagreements and more inconsistent actions after decision, which may lead to worse consequence [ 6 , 46 ]. Additional research is need to exam the above possible explanation.…”

Exclusive Breastfeeding Duration to Six Months: A Literature Review of Factors and Barriers from 2010 to 2020

“…High intention and self-efficacy increase the likelihood to breastfeed for 6 months. All women should be guided to plan for BF of their infants in the antenatal period (Marks et al, 2018). Ventura reported that, longer BFD predicted lower use of nonresponsive feeding practices during later childhood.…”

“…Infants whose parents agreed antenatally on BF only were more likely to have been breastfed for > 6 months. As well, interventions that promote BF to both mothers and husband which enable parents to reach agreement about intended feeding methods have the potential to increase both EIBF and EBFD (Marks et al, 2018).…”