Abstract: Objective: To analyze the effect of relaxation nursing intervention in supporting breastfeeding of fathers of low-weight preterm infants, to provide a reference for clinical intervention. Methods: A total of 72 low-weight preterm infants and their fathers who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the neonatal department of a tertiary grade A hospital in Tianjin from September 2023 to January 2024 were selected by convenience sampling. The random number table method was used to divide cases into intervention and control groups, with 36 cases in each group. The intervention group received a relaxation nursing intervention program, and the control group received routine nursing. Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Father Support Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form were used before discharge, 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after discharge, and the weight and exclusive breastfeeding rate of low-weight preterm infants were compared. Results: At 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks after discharge, the anxiety level of the fathers in the intervention group of low-weight preterm infants was lower than that of the control group, and the rate of exclusive breastfeeding was higher than that of the control group (69.4% vs 44.4%, 61.1% vs 36.1%, 58.3% vs 33.3%). At 8 weeks and 12 weeks after discharge, the self-efficacy of the fathers in supporting breastfeeding was better than that of the control group. At 12 weeks after discharge, the weight of preterm infants was higher than that of the control group, the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Relaxation nursing intervention can effectively improve the anxiety level of fathers of low-weight preterm infants, enhance the confidence of breastfeeding support for fathers of low-weight preterm infants, increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding, and indirectly promote the weight gain of low-weight preterm infants.

Key words: nursing intervention; relaxation therapy; preterm infant; low birth weight infant; breastfeeding; paternal support