Despite overwhelming support and compelling evidence that breastfeeding reduces morbidity and mortality, mothers of premature and very-low-birth weight infants are the least likely to choose to breastfeed and to be successful in their lactation efforts. Based on Roy's theory of adaptation, the goal of nursing is to promote adaptation. Therefore, to best determine how to facilitate adaptation to this stressful experience, an exploratory, descriptive, study using the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Fathers’ Breastfeeding Questionnaire was conducted to determine the attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge of fathers regarding lactation with premature infants hospitalized in the NICU. Fourteen fathers with a partner who had chosen to lactate were enrolled in the study. The fathers were found to have positive attitudes and beliefs regarding lactation, but were lacking in their knowledge about breastfeeding and ways to support their partner with pumping, collection, and storage of expressed breast milk. These findings suggest the importance of including fathers in educational programs and identifying ways to relate their support to their partners.
Session #1219 - Poster Session I
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)