One of the main influences for the success of breastfeeding (BF) is represented by the support of the father [1] - [5] , and this participation is highly regarded and essential in any community [6] [7] . The devaluation of breastfeeding by the father was identified as one of the main predicting factors for early interruption of this practice [8] - [13] . It should be emphasized that many of them are not aware or have enough information about their own importance, therefore hampering an adequate participation in the process of breastfeeding [14] - [16] .

The feelings of a man in relation to his partner and child are one of the essential factors to determine the success in pregnancy and birth in all its phases, including BF [2] [3] [17] - [19] . The arrival of the new-born represents a great load of demands on the father; he is concerned with his ability to provide the family’s needs, offer support to his partner, besides having time to look after himself [7] [14] , despite Fletcher et al. (2008) [20] suggestion that breastfeeding might not be an attractive theme for fathers during their partner’s antenatal process. That way, the man must contribute to this process with new functions, offering emotional support to his wife and caring for the baby, effectively participating in this phase [14] [19] [21] .

The present research aims to understand the opinion of the fathers about their functions in breastfeeding and the importance of their support. The lack of studies conducted in Brazil focusing on this subject highlights the need to answer questions. The objective of the present study was to describe the knowledge of the father about breastfeeding and the influence of their participation.

This is a transversal study, carried out in the period from March to May 2014, in an important maternity in the state of Bahia, Brazil. All fathers who had their children born in that hospital and were present in the Common Ward (as companions or visitors) at the time, and agreed to take part when asked by the researcher were included in the study. As a non-inclusion criteria were those fathers whose new-borns (NB) were not staying in the common ward due to various clinical complications, or whose partners were admitted in another ward, also due to clinical complications, hampering the exclusive use of breast milk in the immediate afterbirth. Those fathers who refused to participate were also excluded.

Following the ethical aspects according to Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council (CNS, abbreviation in Portuguese), a Free and Informed Consent Form (TCLE, abbreviation in Portuguese) was signed by the fathers who agreed to take part in the study.

The investigation tool used was an interview composed by two parts: the first one aimed at characterizing the participants, and the second aimed at evaluating the father’s knowledge about the aspects of breastfeeding and the influence of their participation. A pilot project was carried out for internal validation of the interview.

The data generated from the subjective questions were organized and categorized in Microsoft Excel 2010, and used for registration and descriptive data analysis. The sample was of convenience, and as it wasn’t probabilistic, no inferential statistics were calculated, due to the impossibility of an adequate estimative of standard deviation.

The project was approved by the Ethics in Research Committee of the University Hospital Professor Edgard Santos (HUPES), on March 14th 2014, under protocol No. 21731113.5.0000.0049.

At the time of the research at the Common Ward, there were 85 males of which 78 agreed to take part. Four refused and three did not comply with the inclusion criteria (the baby of one father was at the Canguru infirmary and two others had their babies staying in the Neonatal Intensive Care Ward). Table 1 shows the description of the sample studied. Regarding the father’s knowledge about breastfeeding (BF), artificial milk and com- plementary feeding, the results were expressed on Table 2. The data about the benefits for nursing mother and infant and the difficulty of breastfeeding were inserted on Table 3. The results regarding the answers analysing the role of the father in breastfeeding are shown on Table 4.

In this research, 28.2% of the fathers had knowledge of some techniques for the correct breastfeeding: the baby should be supported by the mother’s body (10% or 45.5%); the baby should be correctly adjusted on the arm ? baby’s head on the arm and the bottom supported by the mother’s hand (9% or 41%); baby should be inclined (5% or 22.7%); the baby’s mouth should be stimulated to open (3% or 13.6%); the baby should be supported by only one arm/hand (3% or 13.6%); the baby should suck the whole breast (2% or 9.1%); the mother should be seated when breastfeeding (2% or 9.1%); others: hold the breast with a cupped hand, change breasts between feedings, massage

the breasts (4% or 18.2%); no answer (1% or 4.5%). Among those who declared to have some knowledge for a correct breastfeeding technique, 27.3% of the answers were considered incorrect.

Among all men, 69.2% of those participated in the antenatal meetings during the

pregnancy, and 90.7% (49) felt welcomed during these appointments when they could join. However, 79.6% of the men present in the meetings were not approached or had any advice or guidance regarding “how the father should or should not participate in breastfeeding”. Of the 39.7% of fathers who had some guidance―during the antenatal meetings or outside―the information given included: how to help the mother to care/breastfeed the baby (48.4% or 15%); the importance of father’s affection (3.2%, or 1%); the benefits/importance of BF (29%, or 9%); and the importance of the father in the antenatal meetings (3.2%, or 1%).

In this study, 85.9% (67) of the men believed that the father should participate in some way in breastfeeding, and the reasons given were the following: the father’s participation is important for the child (34.8% or 24%); it is necessary to support/help the mother when she is absent/unable (30.4% or 21%); it is important to guide/stimu- late/seek knowledge/follow the breastfeeding process (27.5% or 19%). However, only 41% of those interviewed had any interest in finding out how to help their partners with breastfeeding. Based on this answer, the kind of participation they believe they should have involves: help care for the baby (47.4% or 37%); stimulate/support/ob- serve/guide the breastfeeding process (35.9% or 28%); the paternal presence in all phases is fundamental (12.8% or 10%); help the mother in her chores (10.3% or 8%). The 14.1% (11) who answered that the father should not participate in the BF process justified their answer saying that they do not need to help/do not have time/could disturb the process/father’s participation is not necessary.

Among the interviewed, 100% of the fathers argued that their baby should be breastfed by the mother, and the reasons given were: BF is important/necessary (57.7% or 45%); only the mother could give that/it is her role (28.2% or 22%); milk from the mother is safer/healthier (11.5% or 9%); the love is transmitted during this process (6.5% or 5%).

When asked what was the feeling present during the BF process, the men answered: they felt happiness/joy/safety/well-being (80% or 63%); they also felt responsible for the process/baby’s feeding (5.1% or 4%); they did not find breastfeeding a difficult phase (2.6% or 2%); others―weird feeling, that they were more experienced than the first- time mother, feeling of being present (9% or 7%) and no answer (7.7% or 6%). Half the fathers had discussed with the mother of their child their opinion about breastfeeding, whereas only 39.7% believed that their opinion about breastfeeding could interfere their partner’s opinion regarding breastfeeding for longer/less time. A final suggestion from the interviewed was the creation of a program focused on a higher level of fathers’ involvement in breastfeeding, introducing the theme naturally in their leisure time, th- rough information given by community workers or during the antenatal meetings.

In the population studied, 85.9% were married or in a stable relationship. Papp (20,012) [22] argued that married mothers or those co-habiting with their partners were significantly more inclined to breastfeed for longer, keeping this plan throughout the whole first year of the child. A similar result was found in a study by Silva PP et al. (2012) [23] at three months, and Brito et al. (2006) [2] reported that relationship aspects can interfere negatively in breastfeeding. It is likely that fathers in a stable relationship feel safer and more at ease with the changes that occur in a couple’s life after the birth of a child. Such safety will be transmitted on to the mother and will ultimately represent a reason for success in breastfeeding and her self-esteem in the role of a mother [23] [24] .

Regarding the father’s schooling, it was noted that over half of the sample had between six and nine years of completed education, similar to what was found by Silva PP et al. (2012) [23] . According to Robert et al. (2015) [4] , the educational level of the father is a predictor associated to the main factor of influence on exclusive BF, which is the paternal support. This probably means that if fathers have more access to information, they are more aware of the benefits of BF, which brings similar results to those found in the studies of Silva PP et al. (2012) [23] and Susin et al. (2008) [16] .

Regarding the benefits for the nursing mother and infant, 80.8% of the participants answered that if the mother chooses to breastfeed, she can have the following benefits: strengthening of bond mother-child, prevention of diseases/breast cancer, weight loss, faster recovery post-birth/less chances of complications. These results were contradictory to those found in the study by Silva BT et al. (2012) [5] who reported that in the father’s view, the mother is not usually thought of as benefiter, but provider of the baby’s food. Although in the present study not all the benefits of breastfeeding to the mother were mentioned, such as a faster uterine involution and reduced risk of breast cancer, the fact that some benefits were indeed mentioned, in comparison with the previous study, shows a possible change in the profile of fathers regarding their knowledge of the subject, although it is still necessary to widen this knowledge.

A study by Arora et al. (2000) [25] says that the father’s education about the benefits of breastfeeding has an impact on the number of mothers choosing to breastfeed, also suggesting that this education should take place during the antenatal period and the baby’s first quarter. In consonance, Pisacane et al. (2005) [11] affirms that the American Academy of Paediatrics clearly indicates the need for the paternal education and that this should be the “11^th step” for successful BF.

In the present study, 69.2% of the fathers participated in the antenatal meetings during pregnancy. However, 20.4% of those who were present in the antenatal meetings were not approached, or had any advice or guidance about breastfeeding. This data reflect the present context of health assistance and highlights the importance of training aimed at an active paternal inclusion in the puerperal pregnancy.

In some studies [5] [24] , the fathers were not requested by the professionals during the antenatal appointments. According to Kenosi et al. (2011) [15] , 82.1% feel excluded from the antenatal, and Laanterä et al. (2010) [3] reported that these fathers received little information from the antenatal appointments. Even if they had the intention to support, they faced difficulties such as time of the meetings and pregnancy groups which were incompatible with their work schedule. In the results presented by Silva PP et al. (2012) [23] , the number of participants in the meetings was lower than in the present study, as around half the fathers (49.1%) followed their partners in the antenatal appointments. Very similar data affirms that approximately one third of the fathers received some information about breastfeeding [24] [26] , which infers that the best period for including the father in the breastfeeding process is during the antenatal.

Those fathers who participated in the breastfeeding period by helping the process corresponded to 80.8%, corroborating with the most recent research on the subject. However, there are controversies with what had been reported in previous research, such as Piazzalunga et al. (2009) [24] , who argued that the male participation in the care of children and home, generally, is still seen as eventual or inexpressive. The comparison of the latter with the present study shows that there are positive changes of paternal behaviour and attitudes regarding the BF process. Piazzalunga et al. (2009) [24] introduces the concept of the new paternity, with the father being more present and directly involved with his child, more accessible and responsible for the upbringing of his offspring.

Silva BT et al. (2012) [5] report that the paternal participation in breastfeeding is per- meated by doubt and even imposition. Therefore, the men are only able to offer support through positive verbalization and not by actions, besides adopting a prejudiced attitude in relation to the public exposure during breastfeeding. Other studies [2] [21] [27] have demonstrated that men recognize their need to be more effective in their participation. On a study conducted by Susin et al. (2008) [16] 93.3% of the mothers declared that they would like to have more help from their partners during breastfeeding. Silva PP et al. (2012) [23] say that 78% of the mothers mentioned that their partners supported breastfeeding and 82.4% reported an active participation of the father in BF.

In the results presented, 100% of those interviewed considered that their child should be breastfed, a higher result than that obtained by Garcia-Fragoso et al. (2013) [18] , and a high probability of success when the father is favourable [25] [28] - [32] , showing si- milarities with the results found by Silva PP et al. (2012) [23] , where 95.4% showed a favourable opinion to breastfeeding. Other studies [N, L, 14, o] show that paternal approval was the most significant factor on the decision to start and continue to breastfeed.

The main reasons found in our research given by the fathers to support breastfeeding were: BF is important/necessary (57.7%); only the mother can provide/it is her obligation (28.2%); BF is safer/healthier (11.5%) and bond is established in this process (6.4%). This confirms the results of Silva PP et al. (2012) [23] where the main reasons mentioned to support breastfeeding were: “it is good for the baby” (53.8%), “it is the ideal food” (16.2%) and “it is good for the child’s development”. Both studies showed, as the most mentioned reason, the message that BF is important, necessary and indispensable. Other existing literature [3] [17] [21] show that men believe BF to be the best for the new born and support this process, justifying it by saying that it is a natural and low cost way to feed their child.

The feeling described by the parents regarding the breastfeeding process is described as happiness/joy/safety/well-being in 80% of the cases, in accordance with the study by Silva BT et al. (2012) [5] , where the fathers described feeling happy and wanting to support, whilst at the same time feeling frustrated and excluded. In other works [15] [18] [24] , feelings of jealousy, rejection, isolation and that breastfeeding disconnects the baby from the father also appears. Rudman et al. (2007) [9] , describes the opinion of the women who believe that the fathers are really neglected and excluded from the process, being considered superfluous and disposable, which makes them feel alone and unsupported in the period after birth.

Finally, as a suggestion of those interviewed for this study, in order to demystify the subject of breastfeeding for men, the question was raised about whether there would be a recommendation to create a program for fathers to get more involved in this process. Already described in the literature [11] [28] [33] - [35] , studies have concluded that, through interventions with fathers regarding breastfeeding and guidance on how to prevent and manage the difficulties, the success rate for BF is higher.

A series of studies have been demonstrating the effectivity of interventions with fathers and the duration of BF. Pisacane et al. (2005) [11] verified that the support offered to fathers aimed at demonstrating the practice of breastfeeding and how to manage difficulties resulted in an increased levels of BF at six months (25% in the Intervention Group and 15% in the Control Group). The prevalence of starting BF is higher in the group of fathers present in the intervention (74% versus 41%), as reported by Susin et al. (2008) [16] , in an study conducted in the south of Brazil, revealing that in the intervention group with the fathers, there was a significant decrease in weaning before the 6^th month. Besides that, Wolfberg et al. (2004) [28] described an intervention test where it was found that fathers who participated in intervention can positively influence their partners to breastfeed and are able to become adept of the BF practice.

It is important to note that the limitations of this study, which implicated in a decreased potential for analysis and external validity of the research, arose from the fact that the interviews were conducted in a hospital, after the child’s birth. This could mean that the visiting/companion fathers were already interested in the subject. This is an inherent limitation of transversal cohort studies, which do not intend to establish a cause and effect relationship, but nevertheless signal the hypotheses about the association being evaluated. The benefits of this study included broadening the knowledge about the role of the father in BF, which could reflect on the importance the mother gives to this process, contributing to the continuation of this practice and benefiting the new-born. Additionally, this was the first study to take into account the father’s feelings, knowledge and participation in this important moment for the child’s life.

There is a need for further studies about the subject in other regions, in order to formulate guidelines to highlight the importance of the men in the child’s and mother’s daily routine. However, this study succeeded in broadening the knowledge surrounding this theme with the following conclusions: 1) the fathers do have some knowledge about breastfeeding, however they do not have a deep understanding of the techniques, benefits and characteristics of BF; 2) men are moving away from the role of mere spectators and becoming main actors in the breastfeeding process, characterizing a more caring, effective and expressive participation; 3) the positive feeling is predominant among the fathers during BF; 4) the fathers recognize the importance of participating in the child’s care, especially in breastfeeding; 5) the participants of the interview supported the idea that their children should be breastfed by their own mothers; and finally 6) the fathers wish for more guidance from the health institutions and professionals.

Lima, F.T., Santana, A.C., dos Santos, G.M., Albergaria, T.F. dos S. and Silva, L.R. (2016) The Knowledge and Participation of the Father in Breast Feeding, Salvador, Brazil. Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6, 559-571. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojog.2016.610072