Some men do not like the idea of their partners breast-feeding in public in case other men watch, while others are embarrassed, according to a small survey.
Men’s concerns could be having a significant impact on low rates of breast-feeding among new mothers, the research suggests.
Experts from Brunel University and the University of York carried out five focus groups with 28 men aged 16 to 45.
The men were from socially- deprived and low-income areas in Leeds and Glasgow, and included fathers, fathers-to-be and men who may be fathers in the future.
The experts said a father’s opinion has been identified as the most important factor in a mother’s decision over whether to breast-feed or bottle-feed, but men’s views have rarely been explored.
The study, published in the journal Birth, found there were “overarching themes concerning sexuality, embarrassment and social conduct” in all the groups.
“Participants perceived breast-feeding as ‘natural’ but problematic, whereas formula-feeding was mainly considered as convenient and safe,” it said.
“Participants without direct experience of breast-feeding assumed that it involved excessive public exposure and attracted unwanted male attention. Underpinning these fears were strong cultural associations between breasts and sexuality and anxieties concerning appropriate gender roles.”
The authors said some men viewed breast-feeding as a “sexual activity” and were heavily influenced by the idea that breasts were purely for sex.
“Antenatal or perinatal educ-ation with men should address not only practical issues but also provide advice on tackling problems generated by wider socio-cultural issues of sexuality and masculinity.”
Seventy eight per cent of women in England start breast-feeding initially, as do 70 per cent in Scotland, 67 per cent in Wales and 63 per cent in Northern Ireland.
But only 48 per cent of all mothers in the UK were still breast-feeding at six weeks, while 25 per cent were still breast-feeding at six months.
Overall, 84 per cent of new mothers were aware of the benefits of breast-feeding, including babies suffering fewer infections.
Dr Lesley Henderson, lead researcher on the latest study, said: “Until breast-feeding becomes a commonplace activity and breast-feeding in public becomes normalised, people are unlikely to learn from the experience of seeing other women breast-feed. Breast-feeding will remain a contentious issue, and rates will remain low, especially in young, low-income families.”