Advocate Calls for Extended Partner Leave for Fathers of Preterm Babies During World Breastfeeding Week
During World Breastfeeding Week, observed in the first week of August each year, advocates are calling for extended partner leave for fathers of preterm babies.
The 2024 theme, “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding for All,” highlights the critical role breastfeeding plays in child health and survival. The campaign, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health, celebrates the diversity of breastfeeding mothers and emphasizes the collective responsibility of families, communities, and health workers to support them.
Breastfeeding is recognized by WHO and UNICEF as one of the most effective ways to ensure the health and survival of children. It provides vital antibodies that protect against illness and death, guarantees a safe and nutritious food source for infants, and reduces the risk of cancer for mothers.
Despite these benefits, there is a need for greater support, particularly for fathers of preterm babies, whose involvement can enhance the care environment and benefit the entire family.
In an interview with Plus News, Kabene Mercy, a research midwife, urged policymakers to advocate for longer partner leave for men, especially when their wives give birth to preterm babies.
Kabene Mercy a research midwife
She emphasized that involving fathers in the care of preterm infants can provide emotional support, reduce stress, and promote holistic care for mothers.
“Involving fathers in feeding preterm babies is crucial,” Kabene stated. “It helps with feeding schedules, latching and positioning support during breastfeeding, and encourages shared responsibility and bonding between father and baby.”
According to WHO statistics, in low-income settings, half of the babies born at or before 32 weeks die due to a lack of feasible, cost-effective care, such as warmth, breastfeeding support, and basic care for infections and breathing difficulties. Kabene argues that extending partner leave could improve these outcomes by enabling fathers to play a more active role in their newborns’ care.
The WHO underscores that breastfeeding is a shared responsibility. Families, communities, healthcare workers, policymakers, and decision-makers all play crucial roles in supporting breastfeeding. This can be achieved through increased investment in programs and policies, implementing family-friendly workplace policies, ensuring vulnerable mothers receive adequate support, and enforcing laws that restrict the marketing of breast milk substitutes.
Globally, the rate of preterm births ranges from 4-16 percent, with three-quarters of related deaths preventable through current cost-effective interventions. Advocates like Kabene believe that extending partner leave for fathers is a critical step in improving the survival and health of preterm babies.
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