Effects of Spousal Participation in Breastfeeding Interventions at Different Perinatal Stages on Mothers' Coparenting Cognition and Infant Feeding Patterns

NCT07461038 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 20-078
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 526
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Problem: While partner support benefits breastfeeding outcomes, its impact across perinatal stages on maternal co-parenting perception is unclear. Background: Spousal involvement plays a vital role in successful breastfeeding and maternal well-being. Aim: This study aimed to examine the effects of spousal participation in breastfeeding interventions at different perinatal stages on maternal co-parenting perceptions and infant feeding practices for full-term infants. Methods: Pregnant women who received antenatal care and delivered at our hospital, together with their partners, were recruited and categorized by the timing of partner involvement in breastfeeding activities: both antenatal and postnatal (Group A); antenatal only (Group B); postnatal only (Group C); and no antenatal education but routine postnatal guidance (Group D). Maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy and coparenting perception were assessed at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum.

Conditions

Breast Feeding; Social Support; Coparenting

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Maternal Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy

  Measured by the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF). This 14-item scale uses a 5-point response scale (1 = not confident at all, 5 = completely confident), with a total score ranging from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate stronger breastfeeding self-efficacy. Measured at 6, 12, and 24 weeks postpartum.

  6 weeks postpartum, 12 weeks postpartum, 24 weeks postpartum

• Spousal Involvement Frequency in Breastfeeding

  Recorded via a self-designed activity log, including spousal assistance in breastfeeding preparation, positioning, and follow-up.

  6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Coparenting Perception Level

  6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum

• Breastfeeding Type

  6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum

• Neonatal Weight Gain

  6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum

• Duration of Jaundice

  6 weeks postpartum; 12 weeks postpartum; 24 weeks postpartum

Study Arms (4)

Full-stage Parental Involvement Group (A)

EXPERIMENTAL

Perinatal (14 weeks gestation to 24 weeks postpartum) parental joint breastfeeding support

Behavioral: Parental Involvement in Breastfeeding Support

Prenatal Parental Involvement Group (B)

EXPERIMENTAL

Prenatal (14 weeks gestation to delivery) parental joint breastfeeding support, postpartum maternal-only support

Behavioral: Parental Involvement in Breastfeeding Support

Postpartum Parental Involvement Group (C)

EXPERIMENTAL

Prenatal maternal-only support, postpartum (delivery to 24 weeks) parental joint breastfeeding support

Behavioral: Parental Involvement in Breastfeeding Support

Maternal-only Support Group (D)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Postpartum maternal-only routine breastfeeding guidance

Behavioral: Maternal-only Breastfeeding Support

Interventions

Parental Involvement in Breastfeeding Support BEHAVIORAL

Multistage breastfeeding support involving fathers: prenatal education (14-37 weeks gestation, including manuals and videos), intrapartum 'three early' practices (skin-to-skin contact, early suckling, early milk initiation), and postpartum follow-up (48 hours to 24 weeks, including activity records, QR code resources, and weekly follow-up).

Full-stage Parental Involvement Group (A); Postpartum Parental Involvement Group (C); Prenatal Parental Involvement Group (B)

Maternal-only Breastfeeding Support BEHAVIORAL

Routine postpartum breastfeeding guidance provided only to mothers (no paternal involvement), including basic breastfeeding skill training and regular follow-up.

Maternal-only Support Group (D)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Married couples, with gestational age between 12 - 14 weeks at enrollment for Groups A and B;
• Planned discharge within 48 hours after delivery;
• Mothers and partners expected to cohabit for ≥6 months postpartum;
• Gestational age at delivery ≥37 weeks;
• No diagnosed psychiatric disorders in either partner;
• Voluntary participation with written informed consent from both mother and partner;
• Neonates with Apgar scores ≥8 at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth.

You may not qualify if:

• Maternal diagnosis of infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis B);
• Withdrawal from the study at any stage;
• Failure to complete required questionnaires;
• Loss to follow-up during the study period;
• Concurrent participation in other interventional studies;
• Major fetal anomalies.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sichuan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital

Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Breast Feeding

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Feeding Behavior; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Director

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 2, 2026
• First Posted: March 10, 2026
• Study Start: August 20, 2020
• Primary Completion: October 20, 2020
• Study Completion: October 20, 2020
• Last Updated: March 10, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)