The influence of breastfeeding attitudes on breastfeeding behavior of postpartum women and their spouses

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore: (1) the influence of maternal sociodemographic factors on breastfeeding attitudes, (2) the relationship between breastfeeding attitudes of postpartum women and their spouses, (3) the predictors of breastfeeding behavior (mixed breastfeeding) at two months postpartum, and (4) to establish the reliability of the Chinese version of the paternal Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale (IIFAS) in Taiwan. METHODS: A correlational and follow-up study design was used on a convenience sample of 215 women and 215 fathers recruited from a regional teaching hospital in central Taiwan from July 2020 to December 2020. The participants completed the IIFAS during postpartum hospitalization and a follow-up via telephone at 8 weeks postpartum for information on feeding methods and duration. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the predictors of breastfeeding duration. RESULTS: Maternal breastfeeding attitude scores ranged from 42 to 79, with a mean score of 59.78 (SD ± 6.68). Spouses' breastfeeding attitude scores ranged from 46 to 81, with a mean score of 59.60 (SD ± 6.93). Mother and spouse’s IIFAS scores were highly correlated (r = 0.50, p < 0.001), and the scores of both parents were significantly associated with the duration of breastfeeding. With each increased point on maternal and paternal IIFAS scores, the odds of breastfeeding during the first 8 weeks increased 6% and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to validate the IIFAS (Chinese version) with paternal participants in Taiwan. Identifying and understanding the infant feeding attitudes of mothers and their spouses should be an early step in designing and implementing breastfeeding interventions.