Tips On How Dads Can Help With Breastfeeding

Tips On How Dads Can Help With Breastfeeding:

Many Dads feel like there is not much they can do to help their partner with breastfeeding however we know that one of the most important predictors for mum’s choosing to continue to breastfeed is good support from their partner. Although you can’t breastfeed; there are many ways you can help your partner with breastfeeding.

 

This support can come in many forms:

Attending childbirth education and breastfeeding classes where you will both learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding and what is normal in the early days and weeks. These classes also cover basic information about some of the more common challenges. As well as where to get help and support after the birth of your baby. By both having this knowledge you can then work as a team after the birth of your baby.

It surprises some new parents to know that breastfeeding is a learned skill and does not come naturally to most mothers and babies.

Practical help like:

• Make sure your partner has a drink (water bottles work well) and snack.
• Make sure her book, remote control or phone are within reach.
• Bring her a cushion or pillow if needed.
• Nappy changing after feeds.
• Burping after breastfeeds.
• Bottle feed expressed breastmilk occasionally.
• Bath your baby.
• Hold and cuddle your baby, skin to skin can help develop a strong bond and settle a crying baby.
• Settle your baby when crying as they can’t smell breastmilk on you.
• Swaddle your baby when ready to go to sleep.
• Carry your baby in a sling.
• Massage your partners neck occasionally.
• Taking on more household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry .

Breastfeeding takes many hours a day so taking on more of the household tasks is very helpful especially if you can look for what is needed so she doesn’t have to worry about some of them at all.

If your partner can express some milk you could let her get some more sleep and bottle feed the expressed breastmilk occasionally. My husband used to do this Friday and Saturday nights when we had our first baby and it gave me a larger block of sleep to catch up. He also loved feeding her and they both enjoyed this time together.

For many women, breastfeeding is very important to them, something they have been planning to do and if it has been challenging this can bring up many strong emotions. There are also the social pressures to breastfeed, we all know breastfeeding is best. So, when it is not going well many mothers feel inadequate and upset.

Just being there for your partner to talk to about how breastfeeding is going for her and being encouraging and empathetic is very important. Let her know you appreciate all the time and effort she is putting into breastfeeding.

It’s good to know that most women will be able to successfully breastfeed their baby with good support. There are often some early challenges such as; tender or painful nipples, getting correct and comfortable positioning and attachment, too little or too much milk supply, blocked ducts or mastitis.

Your midwife, child health nurse or GP can provide some support but finding a lactation consultant is better. Lactation Consultants specialise in breastfeeding and can provide more specific strategies and spend longer assessing a full breastfeed and will usually have a follow up appointment or phone support.

If breastfeeding does not work out for your partner, let her know that she did her best and that it is okay. Some will choose to fully formula feed their baby. Some mothers continue to breastfeed and give formula top-ups as well and some choose to express breastmilk and use a bottle to feed their baby.

Dads can truly make all the difference with breastfeeding!