摘要：Despite health benefits, sustained breastfeeding rates remain low in the United States, and the role of partners in breastfeeding is not well understood. Using a grounded theory approach, the current qualitative study explored how couples communicate regarding breastfeeding decisions and challenges. Mother-father dyads (
n = 16) completed individual semi-structured interviews 1 year after the birth of their first child. Following iterative qualitative analysis, three phases of breastfeeding communication emerged:
Should we try this? (
Mother’s opinion counts)
How do we make this work?
(adjusting and problem-solving)
and
How do we settle into a routine?
(gaining confidence, resolving issues) Findings underscore the complexity of defining the partner role in breastfeeding.
关键词：breastfeeding; father; infant; postpartum; women’s health
