Fathers, Breastfeeding, and Infant Sleep Practices: Findings From a State-Representative Survey

• DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-061008
• Publication Date: 2023-06-16T08:14:42Z
• Authors: John James Parker; Clarissa Simon; Anne Bendelow; Michael Bryan; Ruben A. Smith; Katherine Kortsmit; Beatriz Salvesen ...; Letitia Williams; Ada Dieke; Lee Warner; Craig F. Garfield
• Keywords: Male; Fathers; Breast Feeding; Cross-Sectional Studies; Pregnancy; Humans; Infant; Mothers; Female; Sleep

OBJECTIVES To assess infant breastfeeding initiation and any at 8 weeks safe sleep practices (back position, approved surface, no soft objects or loose bedding [“soft bedding”]) by select paternal characteristics among a state-representative sample of fathers with new infants. METHODS Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for Dads, novel population-based cross-sectional study, surveyed in Georgia 2–6 months after their infant’s birth. Fathers were eligible if the infant's mother was sampled maternal PRAMS from October 2018 to July 2019. RESULTS Of 250 respondents, 86.1% reported infants ever breastfed 63.4% weeks. Initiation more likely be who wanting breastfeed than those did not want her had opinion (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–1.68; aPR 2.33; CI, 1.59–3.42, respectively) college graduates ≤high school diploma (aPR 1.25; 1.06–1.46; 1.44; 1.08–1.91, respectively). Although about four-fifths (81.1%) usually placing on back, fewer report avoiding (44.1%) using an surface (31.9%). Non-Hispanic Black less back position 0.70; 0.54–0.90) 0.52; 0.30–0.89) non-Hispanic white fathers. CONCLUSIONS suboptimal rates overall characteristics, suggesting opportunities include promotion sleep.