Effects of Spousal Participation in Breastfeeding Interventions at Different Perinatal Stages on Mothers' Coparenting Cognition and Infant Feeding Patterns

Sichuan University526 enrolled

Overview

Problem: While partner support benefits breastfeeding outcomes, its impact across perinatal stages on maternal co-parenting perception is unclear. Background: Spousal involvement plays a vital role in successful breastfeeding and maternal well-being. Aim: This study aimed to examine the effects of spousal participation in breastfeeding interventions at different perinatal stages on maternal co-parenting perceptions and infant feeding practices for full-term infants. Methods: Pregnant women who received antenatal care and delivered at our hospital, together with their partners, were recruited and categorized by the timing of partner involvement in breastfeeding activities: both antenatal and postnatal (Group A); antenatal only (Group B); postnatal only (Group C); and no antenatal education but routine postnatal guidance (Group D). Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and coparenting perception were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

526

Conditions

Breast Feeding Social Support Coparenting

Interventions

Parental Involvement in Breastfeeding SupportBEHAVIORAL

Multistage breastfeeding support involving fathers: prenatal education (14-37 weeks gestation, including manuals and videos), intrapartum 'three early' practices (skin-to-skin contact, early suckling, early milk initiation), and postpartum follow-up (48 hours to 24 weeks, including activity records, QR code resources, and weekly follow-up).

Maternal-only Breastfeeding SupportBEHAVIORAL

Routine postpartum breastfeeding guidance provided only to mothers (no paternal involvement), including basic breastfeeding skill training and regular follow-up.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 21 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Married couples, with gestational age between 12 - 14 weeks at enrollment for Groups A and B; * Planned discharge within 48 hours after delivery; * Mothers and partners expected to cohabit for ≥6 months postpartum; * Gestational age at delivery ≥37 weeks; * No diagnosed psychiatric disorders in either partner; * Voluntary participation with written informed consent from both mother and partner; * Neonates with Apgar scores ≥8 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth. Exclusion Criteria: * Maternal diagnosis of infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B); * Withdrawal from the study at any stage; * Failure to complete required questionnaires; * Loss to follow-up during the study period; * Concurrent participation in other interventional studies; * Major fetal anomalies.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Maternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy

Measured by the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). This 14-item scale uses a 5-point response scale (1 = not confident at all, 5 = completely confident), with a total score ranging from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate stronger breastfeeding self-efficacy. Measured at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum.

Time frame: 6 weeks postpartum, 12 weeks postpartum, 24 weeks postpartum

Spousal Involvement Frequency in Breastfeeding

Recorded via a self-designed activity log, including spousal assistance in breastfeeding preparation, positioning, and follow-up.