Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the perception toward breastfeeding in Japanese expectant fathers. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 21 expectant fathers. They were recruited when their wives were during late pregnancy. The data were analyzed qualitatively and inductively.
The following five themes were extracted as fathers’ perceptions toward breastfeeding “breastfeeding is a matter of course” “consideration for wife’s burden and sexuality is essential” “I don’t worry about breastfeeding because of its heavy burden” “I want to cooperate with my wife because we are both parents” and “I want to leave the feeding method to my wife because it is a same matter of pregnancy and delivery” Participants had both positive and negative perceptions toward breastfeeding, and they thought mothers should decide that they breastfeed or not. It was found that they respected mothers’ decisions, so the breastfeeding supporters should include fathers into their support since pregnancy.
