Breast Feeding, Coparenting, Social Support
Conditions
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALParental Involvement in Breastfeeding Support
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).
BEHAVIORALMaternal-only Breastfeeding Support
Routine postpartum breastfeeding guidance provided only to mothers (no paternal involvement), including basic breastfeeding skill training and regular follow-up.
Sponsors
Sichuan University
Study design
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
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.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Maternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy | 6 weeks postpartum, 12 weeks postpartum, 24 weeks postpartum | 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. |
| Spousal Involvement Frequency in Breastfeeding | 6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum | Recorded via a self-designed activity log, including spousal assistance in breastfeeding preparation, positioning, and follow-up. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Coparenting Perception Level | 6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum | Measured by the Brief Coparenting Relationship Scale (Brief-CRS). This 14-item scale uses a 6-point response scale (0 = completely disagree, 6 = completely agree), with a total score ranging from 0 to 84. Higher scores indicate better coparenting coordination between parents. Measured at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum. |
| Breastfeeding Type | 6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum | Categorized as exclusive breastfeeding, mixed feeding, or formula feeding, based on maternal self-report. |
| Neonatal Weight Gain | 6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum | Recorded as the change in neonatal body weight (in kilograms) from birth to each follow-up time point, based on clinical follow-up records. |
| Duration of Jaundice | 6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum | Recorded as the number of days from the onset of neonatal jaundice to its complete resolution, based on clinical follow-up records. |
Countries
China
Outcome results
None listed