Study: New fathers' work leave improves breastfeeding duration | Image Credit: © Анастасія Стягайло - © Анастасія Стягайло - stock.adobe.com.

A study published in BMC Health found that fathers who took 2 or more weeks of paternity leave reported higher rates of infant breastfeeding at 8 weeks compared to those who took less than 2 weeks.¹

The study, led by investigators at Northwestern University and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, sought to measure the association between fathers' work leave and infant breastfeeding. The study was among a representative sample of fathers from Georgia, according to the study authors, led by John James Parker, assistant professor of Pediatrics at Lurie Children's Hospital. Parker also belongs to the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.^1,2

“Our study shows fathers play a key role in breastfeeding success — and time off lets them provide crucial support when it matters most,” said Parker in a statement from Northwestern University.²

Background

According to the study, there is a growing amount of evidence that highlights the fathers' leave and family benefits, including breastfeeding duration. Workplace and health policy considerations plays a role for the use and availability of parental leave for fathers, which the study acknowledged.¹

Study findings are the first analysis, using father-reported data, of the influence that paternity leave on breastfeeding has in the United States. Despite well documented health benefits for both the mother and infant, breastfeeding rates in the United States are suboptimal, with 46.5% of infants exclusively breastfed through 3 months of age.²

According to a press release from Northwestern, a 2022 study reported that 13% of employers offer paid paternity leave to all their male employees, with most fathers who get paid leave only taking 1 week or less.

Study details and results

The cross-sectional study used data from Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) for Dads public health surveillance pilot study.¹

In all, there were 240 employed fathers. Among them, 172 (73.4%) reported taking either paid or unpaid leave after the birth of their infant. Median length of leave was 2 weeks. White fathers had a higher percentage of paid leave compared to other racial and ethnic groups (P < 0.001).¹

Those who took paid leave were more likely to report taking leave of 2 weeks or more (P < 0.001).

Among fathers who took 2 or more weeks of leave, 79.3% reported higher rates of infant breastfeeding at 8 weeks compared to 60.5% of those who took less than 2 weeks of leave, according to adjusted models (aPR [adjusted prevalence ratio] = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09–1.57).

Results revealed no association detected between breastfeeding at 8 weeks and paid leave (aPR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.85–1.33).

“Fathers can support breastfeeding by taking on hands-on baby care—changing diapers, burping, rocking and feeding expressed milk—while also ensuring mothers get the nutrition, hydration and rest they need to recover,” Parker said. “All these father-supportive activities are easier when fathers have more generous leave.”²

There are 13 states and Washington D.C. that have passed paid family leave laws, leaving a lot of space for challenges and access to these associated leave-related benefits.

"These disparities highlight challenges for families and underscore the need for more research,” Parker said. “We hope our study helps policymakers — and how that impacts family health."

Conclusion

Parker and co-authors of the study concluded, "This study adds to the growing evidence linking fathers’ work leave with family benefits, namely improved breastfeeding duration, which has important workplace and health policy considerations for the use and availability of parental leave for fathers.¹

Reference:

1. Parker, J.J., Simon, C.D. & Garfield, C.F. Fathers’ work leave and infant breastfeeding in a state-representative sample of fathers in Georgia, United States. BMC Public Health 25, 767 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22013-x

2. Northwestern University. When dads take leave, moms breastfeed longer. Eurekalert. February 26, 2025. Accessed April 1, 2025. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1075014