New UW-Madison initiative focuses on Black fathers and maternal, infant health

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country, so the African American Breastfeeding Network, based here in Milwaukee, is partnering with UW-Madison to change that statistic.

The project will center on Black fathers, who have often been left out of research.

According to the Breastfeeding Network, new fathers can be just as stressed and anxious as expecting mothers.

"There's not a playbook for fathers," said Brooks Griffin, of the African American Breastfeeding Network. "Every father's said, nobody taught me how to do this. Nobody gave me the game."

Over the next year, researchers will examine how a father's involvement can improve the health and wellbeing for mothers and babies.