Relationships between paternal attitudes, paternal involvement, and infant‐feeding outcomes: Mixed‐methods findings from a global on‐line survey of English‐speaking fathers

The breastfeeding intention–behaviour gap remains wide in developed countries. Current studies have focused on maternal attitudes and behaviours concerning infant feeding order to explore barriers continuation. There has been limited consideration of the impact paternal behaviours, despite contemporary parenthood evolving evidence indicating that there are greater levels involvement routine childcare tasks. This mixed-methods study used a triangulation design examine associations between towards infant-feeding methods, involvement, outcomes, father–infant relationships. Fathers infants <52 weeks completed an online survey providing quantitative data (N = 212) qualitative 208). For data, fathers validated measures about their attitude feeding, history. questions explored influences relationship. After controlling for covariates, regression analyses found egalitarian were positively associated with both involvement. Positive significantly increased likelihood breastfeeding. A thematic framework analysis indicated fathers' largely influenced by families partners or healthcare professionals. Polarised views expressed methods had relationship, although united desire bond infant. Addressing importance domains other than maybe beneficial supporting