Fathers who take at least two weeks of leave after their child’s birth are significantly more like more likely to report longer breastfeeding Duration, According to a Recent Survey Led by Scientists AT North University and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

“Our Study Shows Fathers Play a Key Role In Breastfeeding Success – And Time Off Lets Them Provide Crucial Support When It Matters Most,” Said Lead Study Author Dr. John James Parker, An Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Pediatrician at Lurie Children’s and Internet at Northwestern Medicine.

The findings, Published in BMC Public HealthProvide the first analysis, using father-respected data, of the influence of paternity leave on breastfeeding in the us breastfeeding provides provides important healthyfits for bothers and yet rates, yet rates in the US remain suboptimal. Only 46.5% of infants are exclusively breastfed Three months.

Using data from the prams for dads survey, scientists analyzed answers from a representative sample of 240 employees in the state of georgia.

They found that Fathers who Took two or more weeks of leave were 31% more likely to report their infant being breastfed at eight weeks compared to that who Took Lesses Than TWO Weeks.

Among Families Who Started Breastfeeding, Thos Where Dads Took at Least Two Weeks of Leave Had a 25% Higher Rate of Continued Breastfeeding at Eight Weeks Thans Thare Dads Took Less Time of.

This was true even after adjusting for paternal, maternal and infant characteristics.

“Fathers can support breastfeeding by Taking on Hands-On Baby Care-Changing Diapers, Burpping, Rocking and Feeding Expressed Milk-WHILE ALESO ANSURIN MOTHERS GET THESTRITION, Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Hydration, Recover, “Parker said. “All these Father-Supoportive Activities are Easier when Fathers have more genearous leave.”

The Study also found disparities in paid leave access, with white fathers more like to receive paid leave In total, 73% of employed fathers in the sample reported Taking Leave, with Slightly over 50% receiving some paid leave. Fathers who took paid leave was more likely to take at least two weeks off.

‘In medical training, no one talked about involving dads’

Parker, a Father of Three, Says His own experience Around His Children’s Births Inspired His Research.

“When I believe a father, I realized how absent dads were from the conversation,” He said. “In medical training, no one talked about involving dads or why that matters.”

A Turning Point Came When His Pediatrician Gave Him Tips on Supporting His Wife With Breastfeeding.

“It made me feel part of the team,” He said. “Now, i do the same for the dads I work with.”

Paternity leave in the US

The us lags behind Other High-Income Countries in Providing Paid Parental Leave. A 2022 Study Found only 13% of Employers Offer Paid Paternity Leave

Thirteen States and Washington, DC, Have Passed Paid Family Leave Laws, Thought Only Nine States have full implemented them.

“These Disparities Highlight Challenges for Families and UndersCore the need for more research,” Parker said.