OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess the supportive role of fathers regarding long-term breastfeeding. Another aspect worth analyzing is the advising and supporting role of healthcare workers to strengthen parents' competence for positive outcomes in breastfeeding.

METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional research was carried out in 2023, using self-administered items and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Non-random purposive sampling was used to create the sample of fathers raising children between five months and two years of age, born in hospitals (N=88). For data analysis, χ² test, correlation analysis, t-tests and ANOVA were calculated (p<0.05).

RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 33.55 years, and three-thirds of them had one child. Exclusive breastfeeding period was 4±2.05 months on average, on which the fathers’ supportive role had a significant impact (p<0.05). Fathers’ involvement following childbirth had no effect on the duration of breastfeeding (p>0.05). High levels of trait anxiety were observed in 4.55% of fathers, and high state anxiety in 10.23%, which negatively correlated with the duration of exclusive breastfeeding (p<0.05). Half of the sample experienced mood changes after childbirth, showing a correlation with the extent of postpartum mood changes observed in mothers (p<0.05). In the hospitals, 36.36% of fathers felt full support from healthcare professionals, while satisfaction with the information provided regarding breastfeeding was rated as complete by only 22.73%, which had no effect on breastfeeding duration (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed mood changes among fathers after childbirth and their significant role in supporting breastfeeding. It is key during this sensitive period for both parents to receive adequate information about the process and responsibilities of becoming parents, as well as breastfeeding, through the supportive approach of healthcare professionals.