A systematic review of international qualitative research of men’s views and experiences of infant feeding

Earle, Sarah and Hadley, Robin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4254-7648 (2017) A systematic review of international qualitative research of men’s views and experiences of infant feeding. In: Society of Reproductive and Infant Psychology (SRIP) 37th Annual Conference, 12 September 2017 - 13 September 2017, Principal Hotel, York, United Kingdom. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Background: While the advantages of breastfeeding are well documented, rates for breastfeeding often fall short of international and national targets. It is increasingly acknowledged that men are important in decisions concerning infant feeding but a lot of the research about men has been elicited from women, rather than from men themselves. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this review was to explore men’s views and experiences of infant feeding drawing on data grounded in men’s experiences rather than women’s. Method: To explore these issues further, a systematic review of the international qualitative research on infant feeding was carried out, focusing specifically on men’s views and experiences. Evidence was identified by searching electronic databases (CINAL, Cochrane, PubMed and Scopus), manually searching citations, and by searching the grey literature. Studies were included in the review if they discussed men’s views and experiences of infant feeding and if they reported original, descriptive qualitative data. Results: A total of 20 research papers were included in the review and each study was summarised and analysed thematically to produce a synthesis. Five major analytical themes were identified: how men learn about infant feeding; men’s role in breastfeeding; the facilitators to breastfeeding; the barriers to breastfeeding; and, men’s health promotion and support needs. Conclusions: The review concludes by highlighting that men rarely exert influence on infant feeding decisions although they appear to play a significant role in the continuation of breastfeeding. Health promotion initiatives do not speak effectively to men’s needs, suggesting that more targeted health promotion for men is needed.