Evaluation of the effects of fathers with 0-6 MONTHS baby on breastfeeding

Purpose: This study was carried out to determine the effects of breastfeeding (understanding breastfeeding, helping, valuing, readiness, sensitivity) of fathers who have babies in between 0-6 months. Materials and Methods: The sample of the descriptive study consisted of 260 fathers who applied to the Gayrettepe Florence Nightingale Hospital Pediatrics Polyclinic between March 13 and June 1, 2022. The data were collected with the "Descriptive Information Form" and the " The Partner Breastfeeding Influence Scale (TPBIS)" the data were analyzed in SPSS 25.0 program. Results: The average age of the fathers was 36.72±7.11, 57% of them were university graduates, 98.1% were working in a job that generates income, 45% perceived their income as equal to their expenses, 56.5% works less than 12 hours during the day. It was found that 61.1% of their spouses had a university degree or higher, and 54.2% of them were working. In addition, it was determined that 45.8% of the participants had an only child, 46.2% had the first child of their breastfed children and 50.4% had a daughter. 49.2% of the fathers stated that they thought they have an effect on the breastfeeding process. The average TPBIS score of the fathers was 124.99±32.44. It was determined that the fathers' TPBIS score was associated with some socio-demographic and descriptive variables. The scores of fathers who are younger, whose education level is at university or higher, who have social security, who work less than 12 hours in an income-generating job, who have a small number of children and who think that they have an effect on the breastfeeding process, were found to be statistically significant. (p<0.05). A significant and positive correlation was found between the rate of influence of fathers on breastfeeding process and TPBIS score (r= .771, p < .001). As a result; The TPBIS scores of the participants are affected by some socio-demographic and descriptive characteristics, and the opinions of the spouses about their support for breastfeeding.Fathers' views on their contribution to the breastfeeding process should be questioned before and after birth, and it is considered that it would be beneficial to plan regular trainings on their effects/contributions to breastfeeding. Keywords: Father support, Social Support, Spousal Support Breastfeeding