Table 5 Characteristics of the selected studies for the meta-analysis of the secondary outcomes

1. Abbass-Dick 2015 [78]

Canada, Randomized controlled trial

Primiparous mothers with a singleton birth, 18 or more years old, term delivery, with a male partner

1. Intervention group (107 couples)

2. Control group (107 couples)

Face to face intervention of approximately 15 minutes. Could refer to materials like workbook, video and a website later

-Support of fathers: Intervention group- 71%, Control group- 52%

2. Raeisi 2014 [75]

Iran, Interventional study

Mother in second trimester, no pregnancy complication or underlying disease

1. Intervention group (Group A) – 50 couples

2. Control group (Group B)- 50 couples

Three training sessions including brochures

-Support of fathers:

Intervention group-94%, Control- 60%

-Knowledge of mothers Intervention group-103 points, Control- 95.71 points

3. Maycock 2013 [76]

Australia Randomized controlled trial

Mother must be more than 18 years, father must be contactable living in Western Australia and willing to involve in child rearing

1. Intervention group- 358

2. Control group-298

Two hour antenatal health education session and a postnatal social support package including printed materials.

-Full formula feeding at six weeks: Intervention group-18.4%, Control- 24.8%

4. Susin 2008 [77]

Brazil, Controlled clinical trial

Couples living in the city of Porto Alegre, infants have no health problems, birth weight equal to or more than 2500 g, have initiated breastfeeding

-Control group (no intervention)- 201

-Intervention group with mother- 192

-Intervention group with both mother and father- 193

Health education session with a 18-minute video and a discussion, an explanatory handout was provided

-EBF at four months: Intervention group with mothers- 11.1%, Intervention group with both mother and father-16.5%