A multi-disciplinary exploration into men’s breastfeeding habits in Uganda

Understanding men’s attitudes and habits in relation to their own breastfeeding behaviours in Uganda

Despite the fact that Uganda has achieved exclusive breastfeeding rates above 60 percent, the Ugandan Ministry of Health has expressed concern that many fathers are breastfeeding from their partners. It is currently unclear why fathers are doing this behaviour, however if the fathers are breastfeeding first, this means that they receive the most nutritious milk, as opposed to the baby. It can also be more exhausting for the women.

The primary purpose of this project is to build a network which will conduct and report on preliminary research about breastfeeding fathers to gain in-depth understanding of why this practice has arisen. It also explores the values and existing capacities to support and advocate for positive health outcomes and gender equality, and to transform harmful social norms that negatively impact on optimal breastfeeding.

Funder/funding stream

Global Challenges Research Fund

Key Words

breastfeeding, uganda

What research outputs planned/published?

The Guardian – ‘She can’t say no’: the Ugandan men demanding to be breastfed

Published first in the Guardian newspaper in January 2020, then republished all over the globe and even discussed on MumsNet – just some of the many publications, etc.

nzherald.co.nz – New study into adult men in Uganda drinking breast milk

newsday.co.uk – East African Men Compete For Breast Milk

MumsNet

Also on the radio talkshow in Ireland:

NewsTalk – Breastmilk Drinking Men in Uganda