Paternal Awareness and Involvement on

Breastfeeding Practices of First Time Father in

Selected Government Hospitals in Manila

An Undergraduate
Research Study
Presented to the Faculty of the College of Nursing
National University, Manila

In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Degree of
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

By:

Barcelona, Lea Joy P.

Talisic, Jessa Caryl Ester V.

Valdez, Cheilodyn Vee N.

Viado, Jerah Shayne A.

Zamora, Menchie O.

March, 2012
 CHAPTER 1

Introduction

Background of the study

A growing concern on father’s roles in breastfeeding is closely related to a

deeper understanding on the challenges in fathering. Fathering, as with mothering,

exists simultaneously for the infant and the family. This implies that parenting is equal

for women and men. The father plays an important role in breastfeeding. The father can

support the mother in breastfeeding. The early weeks of breastfeeding can be a time of

exhaustion and confusion. This can be helped so much by an actively participating

father. As the mother’s support, the father can bring water, make food, and ensure that

mom is getting plenty of rest. A father being available to care for and nurture his baby is

essential in allowing the mother time to tend her own needs.

This study aims to identify the important aspects contributing to father

involvement in breastfeeding decisions and behaviours for the purpose of developing

effective, theory-driven, breast feeding interventions

There is global evidence that good nutrition in the early months and years of life

plays a very significant role, affecting not only the health and survival of infants and

children but also their intellectual and social development, resulting in life-long impact

on school performance and overall productivity. Breastfeeding, especially exclusive

breastfeeding during the first half-year of life is an important factor that can prevent

infant and childhood morbidity and mortality. Timely, adequate, safe and proper

complementary feeding will prevent childhood malnutrition.

 Breastfeeding provides a nutritional complete food for the young infant. It

strengthens the infant’s immune system, preventing many infections. It also safely

rehydrates and provides essential nutrients to a sick child, especially to those suffering

from diarrheal diseases. Breastfeeding reduces the infant’s exposure to infection and

increases IQ points.

Despite the numerous benefits of breastfeeding there are only 34% of mothers in

the Philippines exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months. The

Philippines ranks lower than most developing countries where 36% of babies are

exclusively breastfed by their mothers.

We need to do more to reach women with a simple, powerful message.

“Breastfeeding can save your baby’s life”. No other preventive intervention is more cost

effective in reducing number of children who die before reaching their fifth birthday.

The lack of a strong enabling environment that supports breastfeeding mothers is

seen as the biggest challenge in encouraging Filipino mothers to practice

breastfeeding.

To encourage more Filipino mothers to breastfeed their babies, everyone in the

family should be involved especially the fathers. All have a role to play in supporting a

breastfeeding culture in the Philippines.

Statement of the Problem

This study is intended to know the paternal awareness and involvement of

breastfeeding in first time father in Metro Manila.

1. What is the profile of the first time father in terms of the following variables?

1.1 Age

1.2 Marital Status

1.3 Educational background

1.4 Monthly Income

2. What is the level of awareness on the breastfeeding practices in terms of:

2.1 Health Benefits

2.2 Process

2.3 Economic Advantages

3. What is the extent of involvement on breastfeeding practices?

3.1 Before

3.2 During

3.3 After

4. Is there a significant relationship between awareness and involvement on

breastfeeding practices of a first time father?

Hypothesis

H0 null: There is no significant difference in the paternal awareness and

involvement of breastfeeding practices.

Significance of the Study

Findings of the study will be significant to the following:

Nurses. The nurses will be able to use the data to promote paternal involvement among

the fathers.

Nurse Researchers. This study can be used as a basis for their further research in the

subject area.

Nurse Educators. The study can help them gain background knowledge which they

can use in teaching their students.

Fathers. The fathers can see the importance of paternal awareness and involvement on

breastfeeding practices and how it can improve their care for their young.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study limits its coverage on the First time Fathers in selected government

hospitals in Manila. Its main purpose is to promote the paternal awareness and

involvement on breastfeeding practices.

The variables would include the respondent’s age, marital status, educational

background, and monthly income. Each respondent are given same questionnaires to

answer. This study focuses on the First time Fathers in Manila.

 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

A conclusion that one might come to from the information on paternal decision

making is that fathers may play an important role in the development of the nursing

unit. A salient concept in the literature is that fathers have the ability to support nursing

relationships. The quality of paternal support is however contingent on fathers’ attitudes

and perceptions about nursing. Fathers may develop attitudes that help them support

breastfeeding by attending educational programs about breastfeeding (Susin &

Giugliani, 2008).

Fathers’ supportive tasks and positive attitude may contribute to the development

of healthy nursing relations. For example, paternal support contributes to the

development of exclusive nursing (Ceriani Cernadas et al., 2003; Susin & Giugliani,

2008).

Fathers’ behaviors are also contingent on their relationship with the mother and

their perception of couple issues. Some fathers find it difficult to support nursing when

they perceive that mothers are frustrated with or ambivalent about breastfeeding.

Paternal incapacity to simultaneously see partners and breasts as sexual and as

motherly, as well as concerns that nursing disfigures sexual breasts, decrease fathers’

ability to support nursing in some cases. Similarly, some fathers have a difficult time

supporting nursing when they believe that nursing decreases their partners’ interest in

sexual intimacy (Sharma & Petosa, 2007).

 The father of a breastfeeding baby is an important part to the breastfeeding

relationship. In ancient times, the men would go hunt while the women would stay close

to camp tending children and gathering plants. Obviously this does not suit our active

lifestyles today, but in essence much is the same. It is imperative for the baby to have

his mother close at hand. The breastfeeding relationship is based on supply and

demand. This means that the mother needs to be close by her baby so that she can

allow her baby to nurse as much as possible.

The father's role in this relationship is very important. The father of the baby can

help to create a situation where mother and baby can be together. Many fathers fear

that they won't be able to bond with the baby without feeding bottles. This is very far

from the truth. Bonding doesn't occur through the ingestion of food through plastic.

Bonding occurs through a physically, loving relationship. There are many ways for a

father to connect to his new infant. Bringing the baby to the mother to breastfeed is a

great way to demonstrate to the baby that the father can, in fact, meet his baby's needs.

His baby will be well aware of the fact that daddy is the transportation to the food.

(Lactivist, 2006).

Breastfeeding is enhanced and the nursing couple sustained by the loving

support, help and companionship of the baby’s father. A father’s unique relationship

with his baby is an important element in the child’s development from early infancy. (La

Leche League International Magazine, New Beginnings , August 2009).

“Providing understanding and support for the breastfeeding pair is one of the

most valuable investments you can make in the future health and well-being of your

family”. (Dr William Sears, paediatrician, 2009).

 New fathers have been urged to offer their support if their partner wishes to

breastfeed. The Health Promotion Agency has marked Breastfeeding Awareness Week

by launching a poster and leaflet giving fathers the facts on breastfeeding and

suggestions for offering support to breastfeeding partners. Janet Calvert, regional

breastfeeding coordinator, explained: "This work follows on from the evaluation of the

HPA's public information campaign which showed there was an increase in knowledge

about the importance of breastfeeding in relation to health benefits such as fewer

infections and allergies. “This increase was most notable among prospective fathers

and has the potential to improve breastfeeding outcomes, since a partner's knowledge

and attitude to breastfeeding is important in sustaining the mother's decision to

breastfeed. In fact in the UK nine out of ten mums stop breastfeeding before they want

to due to lack of support and preventable problems. Father’s support helps future

decision for their partner to breastfeed”. (Larne Times article, 2006).

Related Study

In a study published in 2010, Laanteras and colleagues explored Finnish parents’

breastfeeding attitudes. Both mothers (n=123) and fathers (n=49). The study concluded

that although breastfeeding was believed to be important, 54% of the participants

wanted both the mother and the father to be involved in the infants feeding. Participants

who were expecting their first child were found to have more negative feelings regarding

breastfeeding than participants who already had children. More negative breastfeeding

feelings were also associated with participants who had a moderate level of
breastfeeding knowledge, were 18-26 years of age and who had a lower education level

(Laanteras et al., 2010).

The breastfeeding knowledge and involvement of fathers has been the topic of

several studies. Rempel and Rempel interviewed 21 fathers who were parents of a

breastfeeding infant to determine their involvement in the breastfeeding experience. The

results of this study concluded that there were several unique ways in which the fathers

became part of breastfeeding. One of the leading ways fathers saw as a way to be

involved in breastfeeding was to gain knowledge in breastfeeding and using this

knowledge to “encourage and assist breastfeeding.” Other areas identified by the

fathers were valuing the mother and being a part of housework and child care. (Rempel

and Rempel, 2010).

Synthesis

Deciding to breastfeed may be a decision made by both parents, however most

fathers believe that breastfeeding doesn’t require their participation. The truth of the

matter is the father plays a vital role in the success of the mother’s nursing relationship

with their baby. The most fatherly thing a man can do during this time is to be available

to his partner and support her in her new role as mother. He can arrange to take off as

much time as possible from his job to be with his new family during the early weeks.

The father can support his partner by freeing her from other responsibilities so that she

can give her full attention to learning how to nurse. He can appreciate what she is trying

to accomplish and have confidence in her. When a father supports his partner’s desire

to continue breastfeeding, he gives mother and baby a precious gift. It is important for
the father to realize that he has new responsibilities towards his partner and his child.

He needs to understand that the new mother is recuperating from the physical demands

of pregnancy and childbirth and adjusting to hormonal changes in her body. All this may

affect her mood. She may be more irritable, forgetful, and distracted, and some fathers

may feel neglected and resent the fact that she is spending most of her time with the

baby. But it is important to remember that during this newborn period the baby’s needs

must take top priority. Fathers can rest assured that this transitional time won’t last

forever and they will be appreciated for supporting their partners’ efforts to breastfeed. A

father can sit back and enjoy the beauty of watching his partner nourish their child with

her own body and see their child thrive.

Small favours’ make a big impression in the eyes of an exhausted new mother.

The father should make every effort to take the initiative and help out with household

responsibilities. He can help monitor the baby’s progress and make sure the new

mother eats well and rests. He can also help with baby care responsibilities. He should

take every opportunity to hold, comfort, bathe, dress, burp, and entertain the baby, as

well as change the baby’s diapers—since this is his chance to start developing his own

special relationship with his child. A new father has a great many demands being placed

on him—and at times it may seem difficult and overwhelming. It is important for him to

seek out his own support system. He may look to friends and family members for

emotional support and reassurance. It helps to seek out other fathers who have had a

nursing child, so he can share his feelings and know that he is not alone. Once the new

father accepts the situation, he will find himself rising to the occasion and feeling proud

of the valuable contribution he is making to his new family.

 Finally, fathers can appreciate the advantages of having a breastfed baby. Since

fathers are relieved of the responsibility of shared middle-of-the-night bottle feedings,

their nights will be less disrupted. And because breastfeeding is handy, timesaving, and

convenient, outings will be much easier for everyone. Overall, breastfed children are

smarter, healthier, and require fewer medical expenses. Breastfeeding saves money.

Conceptual Framework

INDEPENDENT INTERVENING DEPENDENT

VARIABLES VARIABLES VARIABLES

Breastfeeding Demographic Data: Paternal

Practices Awareness and
 Age Involvement
 Educational
background
 Marital
Status
 Monthly
Income

Theoretical Framework
Definition of terms

For the purpose of this study the following terms have been defined.

Breastfeeding- The feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly

from female human breasts rather than from a baby bottle or other container

(Wikipedia).

Breastfeeding Practices- The practices to be followed in breastfeeding a baby.

Paternal Awareness- Knowledge or perception of a father regarding on

breastfeeding practices.

Paternal Involvement-

First Time Father-

 Chapter III

Methodology

Research Design

This study is a descriptive survey method. The descriptive method proves the

value of facts and focuses in the present. The purpose of the descriptive method design

is to describe, explain and validate the findings in the study. This research method will

described the paternal awareness and involvement on breastfeeding of first time father

in Manila. Through survey, the researchers will found out the information they want to

have from the respondents.

Research Locale

The respondents of the study are the fathers who have been residing in Manila.

Survey questionnaire will be distributed to the first time father residing at Manila.

Sample and Sampling Technique Used

The respondents study includes of 80 first time fathers aged 10 – 40 years old and

above. These respondents are from different hospitals in Manila. Random sampling will

be use in the selection of respondents from different hospital in Manila.

This sampling method is characterized by the fact that the probability of selection

is the same for every case in the population.

Simple random sampling is a method of selecting n units from a population of size

N such that every possible sample of size and has equal chance of being drawn.
Instrumentation

Data will be gathered using the questionnaire which composed of two parts and

will be conducted to supplement the data gathered from the questionnaire. Part I dealt

with the respondent’s profile consisting of socio-demographic characteristics such as

age, educational attainment, marital status and monthly income. Part II is obtained data

on the respondent’s awareness and involvement regarding breastfeeding.

Procedure

Permission to conduct the study seeks from the municipal mayors of the

identified municipalities and after approval by the research adviser. Likewise,

permission to gather data from the respondents will also take.

To ensure 100 percent retrieval of the questionnaire and all items are answered

correctly, a copy of the questionnaire will distributed personally by the researchers to

the respondents. Directions are explained clearly, and confidentiality of the answers of

the respondents will be assured.

Statistical Analysis
This study utilizes several statistical procedures relevant to the problem under

study.

Frequency count and percentage distribution will be use to describe the

respondent’s socio-demographic characteristics.

Weighted mean will be use to describe the paternal awareness and involvement

on breastfeeding practices of first time father.

 The mean scores will be interpreted using the following:

Legend:

4.50 – 5.00 Strongly Agree

3.50 – 4.49 Agree

2.50 – 3.49 Agree Somewhat

1.50 – 2.49 Disagree

1.00 – 1.49 Strongly Disagree

Chi-Square (x²) test of independence will be used to determine the significance

of the relationship between awareness and involvement on breastfeeding practices of a

first time father.