Exploring supportive and unsupportive experiences from partners toward tandem breastfeeding - a cross-sectional content analysis in a global sample

Tandem breastfeeding, where a mother breastfeeds two children of different ages, has been shown to meet the nutritional needs of both a newborn and an older child. Partner support is known to influence breastfeeding outcomes, but little is known about their support of mothers' tandem breastfeeding. This study conducted a content sub-analysis of a larger cross-sectional survey to explore experiences of partner support among 1,212 women who were tandem breastfeeding at the time of data collection. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire from a global sample. Responses were analyzed as supportive (1609) or unsupportive (413) partner behaviors. An emergent coding approach identified eight supportive codes and seven unsupportive codes. The most frequently reported supportive behaviors were looking after the mother and providing practical support (391, 24 percent) and offering emotional support and encouragement (262, 16 percent). The most common unsupportive behaviors included partners wanting the child to wean (162, 39 percent), expressing health concerns for the mother or children (71, 18 percent), and feeling uncomfortable or expressing disgust or disapproval (68, 16 percent). These findings highlight the importance of emotional and practical partner support in shaping mothers' experiences. Strengthening partner education may help create more supportive environments for families tandem breastfeeding.