Current Status and Influencing Factors of Fathers’ Early Support for Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Background: Breast milk is the optimal source of infant nutrition, yet breastfeeding rates in China remain below recommended targets. The father is a key source of social support for breastfeeding; fathers’ breastfeeding support self-efficacy may shape their involvement and, in turn, influence breastfeeding initiation and duration. However, evidence remains limited regarding factors associated with fathers’ breastfeeding support self-efficacy in the early postpartum period and its relationship with mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy. Methods: A two-wave survey was conducted among 216 families (newborns’ father and mother) recruited from a tertiary hospital in Beijing, China. Fathers’ breastfeeding support self-efficacy, breastfeeding-related knowledge, and relevant sociodemographic and family factors were assessed at 72 hours postpartum (T1) and 2 weeks postpartum (T2), alongside mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy at the same time points. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression to identify factors associated with fathers’ breastfeeding support self-efficacy Results: Fathers’ breastfeeding support self-efficacy was positively correlated with mothers’ breastfeeding self-efficacy at T1 (r=0.219, p<0.05), with a stronger association at T2 (r=0.462, p<0.05). In multivariable regression, fathers’ breastfeeding knowledge, participation in the breastfeeding process, paternity leave, and exposure to breast-milk substitute advertising were significantly associated with fathers’ breastfeeding support self-efficacy (all p<0.05). Conclusion : Fathers’ breastfeeding support self-efficacy was at a moderate level, and higher paternal breastfeeding support self-efficacy was associated with higher maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy. Paternity leave, preferred feeding method, exposure to breast-milk substitute advertising, and breastfeeding-related knowledge were significant correlates of fathers’ breastfeeding support self-efficacy.