First-Time Fathers’ Experiences of Breastfeeding Support Through a Metaphoric Lens

BACKGROUND: Paternal support during breastfeeding significantly influences mothers' breastfeeding decisions, duration, and self-efficacy. Despite increasing attention to fathers' roles in breastfeeding, their subjective experiences of providing support remain insufficiently explored. Metaphors provide a valuable qualitative approach to exploring complex experiences by enabling individuals to express emotional, social, and abstract meanings. This study aimed to understand how first-time fathers conceptualize their experiences with breastfeeding support through metaphor analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study using metaphor analysis was conducted between March and May 2024. Written responses were collected from 102 first-time fathers whose infants were aged 0-2 months and were still breastfeeding at the time of data collection, either exclusively or in combination with formula feeding; eight responses were excluded because they did not contain a metaphor, leaving 94 responses for analysis. Data were collected using a descriptive information form and a metaphor identification form. Fathers provided written responses by completing the sentence: "Supporting my wife with breastfeeding/helping my wife with breastfeeding is like … because …" The generated metaphors were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Two researchers independently coded the metaphors, reached consensus through discussion, and organized them into themes and subthemes. The study was reported in accordance with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. RESULTS: A total of 57 distinct metaphors were identified. The analysis of metaphors revealed four main themes and nine subthemes: Holistic Support: Physical and Emotional Dimensions, Experiential Breastfeeding Journey, New Life and Bonding, and Traces of Emotional Engagement in Paternal Support. Frequently used metaphors included task, success, sharing, shade, goal, and journey. CONCLUSIONS: Fathers' involvement in breastfeeding enabled them to recognize their parenting roles, provide physical and emotional support, strengthen the mother-infant-father bond, and contribute positively to the sustainability of breastfeeding. These findings highlight the importance of actively involving fathers in breastfeeding support within family-centered postnatal care and encouraging their participation from the prenatal period onward. Encouraging fathers' active participation from the prenatal period onward can facilitate both breastfeeding outcomes and the transition to parenthood.