The effect of fathers' support on breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding motivation of mothers in the breastfeeding process

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the fathers' support on breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding motivation of mothers in the breastfeeding process. Methods: The cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out with the parents of 0-24 months old, breastfeeding babies who applied to Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Pediatrics Outpatient Clinic between October 15, 2020 and January 15, 2021. Sociodemographic data and breastfeeding history questionnaire, Postpartum Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form(BSES), Breastfeeding Motivation Scale(BMS) and Fathers' Effect on Breastfeeding Scale(FEBS) were used in the study. Results: 248 mother-father couples participated in the study. It was found that the median of the participant mothers' BSES scores was 54.0±8.7. When the BMS sub-dimension scores of the participating mothers were examined; median scores were 19.0±3.3 for primiparas and 13.0±1.9 for multiparas in intrinsic motivation and identified regulation, 32.5±4.8 for primiparas and 32.0±4.5 for multiparas in integrated regulation, 10.0±3.2 for primiparas and 11.5±3.0 for multiparas in introjected regulation, 6.0±1.5 for primiparas and 18.0±2.8 for multiparas in external regulation. It was determined that the median FEBS score of the participating fathers was 119.5±29.5. There was a statistically significant positive correlation were found between FEBS scores and intrinsic motivation, identified regulation and integrated regulation sub-dimension scores in primiparas(r=0.353, p=0.001; r=0.456, p<0.001); integrated regulation and external regulation sub-dimensions scores in multiparas(r=0,283, p<0,001; r=0,485, p<0,001). A statistically significant positive correlation (r=0.267, p<0.001) was also found between FEBS scores and BSES scores. Conclusion: It has been observed that fathers' support during the breastfeeding process has a positive effect on mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy and motivation. It should be ensured that fathers are also included in breastfeeding education and thus more conscious support to their wifes. Key words: Breastfeeding, Breastfeeding Self-efficacy, Breastfeeding motivation, Fathers' effect on breastfeeding