Did you know that dads can help with breastfeeding? It may sound a little odd when you first hear that but bear with me.
Breastfeeding support is an absolute must in order to have success on your breastfeeding journey! If you are or have ever breastfed your baby you know that it’s so stinking hard! Way harder than I ever anticipated.
In the incredible journey of parenthood, successful breastfeeding is not just a great way to provide essential health benefits to a new baby, but it’s also an intimate experience that strengthens the bond between parents and their little one.
While moms are often the primary caregivers in the early days of breastfeeding, the role of dads should not be underestimated.
Fathers can actively participate in this beautiful process and offer valuable support to their partners, enhancing the overall breastfeeding experience.
From skin-to-skin contact with the baby to seeking guidance from lactation consultants, the involvement of dads can be a game-changer.
You’ll quickly realized how much you need your spouse or partner to offer breastfeeding support!! By offering support he can help you in a major way! Plus it will make him feel more involved.
Often times men are left feeling helpless or disconnected. Because well, dads don’t have the necessary equipment for that activity.
But, I want the everyone to know that dads can help with breastfeeding. Actually they are a pretty vital part in breastfeeding success if you ask me.
The breastfeeding help they can offer will help you physically, mentally and emotionally. Doesn’t that sounds pretty darn good?! Of course it does!
In this blog post, we’ll explore the pivotal role that fathers and other family members can play in helping breastfeeding moms, making the journey smoother and more rewarding for everyone involved.
How Dads Can Help with Breastfeeding:
Timing-
When you first start breastfeeding it takes a while to get used to the timing. You need to nurse from both breasts around the same amount of time. Then the next nursing session needs to start with the opposite breast that you ended with. Are you confused yet? These are the type of details that can send a sleep deprived mom over the edge.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
My husband, Aaron, would keep up with how long my son nursed on each breast and tell me when to switch. Then he would also keep up with which breast I nursed from last so I’d know where to start. I know this sounds simple, but it’s a big stinking deal when you are totally overwhelmed as a new mom.
Yes, we had an app but at the hospital neither of us were thinking clear enough for technology, so he did it on paper. Then when we got home he kept track of the app for me.
It’s amazing how not having to think about a little thing like this gives you some freedom.
Related: Baby Coughing at Night?
Heating/Cooling-
The girls (your breasts) are going to be sore. A great way to ease the pain is to use cooling after nursing for some relief and then use heating before nursing to get your breast ready and milk flowing easily for baby.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
He can get these two things ready for you. My husband would have a diaper that had been soaked in water and then put in the freezer ready for me after my son was finished nursing.
Then before a nursing session he would bring me a diaper that had been soaked and put in the microwave to warm my breasts for nursing.
This is another huge help! What mom wants to deal with how to heat and cool her breasts when she is still recovering?!
Middle of the Night Feeds
In the middle of the night, when the world is still and the house is hushed, new parents often find themselves navigating the challenging terrain of night feeds.
For moms who are committed to exclusive breastfeeding, these nighttime nursing sessions can be both rewarding and exhausting.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
However, this is also a great time for dads to step in and offer a little bit of respite and support. While infant formula might be a valid choice for some, dads can play a crucial role by taking charge of non-feeding tasks during night feeds.
From preparing a glass of water for the breastfeeding mom to changing diapers, soothing the baby back to sleep, or simply providing comforting company, dads can make a significant difference in the overall breastfeeding journey.
Take Over Household Chores –
As new moms navigate the demands of breastfeeding, dads can step in to handle various household tasks, creating a nurturing environment that allows the breastfeeding mom to focus on her and the baby’s needs.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
Whether it’s tackling the laundry, preparing meals, or tidying up the living space, easing the load of daily responsibilities not only ensures a smoother flow at home but also boosts the partner’s confidence.
Knowing that they have a supportive and actively engaged partner by their side can empower breastfeeding moms, fostering a sense of teamwork and making the shared journey of parenthood all the more enriching. In this blog post, we’ll explore the significance of dads contributing to household chores as a means of supporting breastfeeding moms and enhancing the overall well-being of the family.
Meals/Snack-
Breastfeeding will make you hungry! You are using a lot of calories and at first you’ll be nursing pretty often. So, you need food! You’ll also need the right kind to of food to keep your supply up.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
He can have healthy snacks and food prepared for you when you need it. It doesn’t have to be fancy but just the simple act of preparing it for you is a big deal. You don’t have to worry about what to eat or when to eat. Because honestly little decisions like this can be overwhelming. So dad, bring that mama some food!
Support-
Breastfeeding can be hard! It’s taxing on your body and mind. If this is a route you want to go and are determined to do so, you need support!
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
Our husbands words carry so much weight with us. Dads can offer a huge amount of breastfeeding support just by speaking words of encouragement, “you can do this, you are doing such a great job, you are not alone.”
Words like these can be the difference between a successful breastfeeding journey and giving up because you feel defeated and alone.
Also, attending a breastfeeding class together can be a game-changer for new parents, providing invaluable insights, SUPPORT and skills that pave the way for a smoother breastfeeding journey.
Armed with knowledge and understanding, dads become a huge help to breastfeeding moms by offering unwavering support and encouragement.
During those early days of learning and adjusting, dads can be the extra pair of hands that make all the difference.
From assisting with proper latching techniques to ensuring a comfortable breastfeeding environment, their active involvement turns theoretical learning into practical application.
Attending a breastfeeding class as a team not only equips dads with the tools to support their partners effectively but also fosters a deeper connection as they navigate the beautiful complexities of parenthood together.
Change Diapers-
Newborns are experts at pooping and peeing! This is a great thing but can be taxing when trying to breastfeed, which can often feel like a full time job.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
This is an area that most men know plenty about (but baby poop still surprisingly grosses them out?). Taking over diaper changing duty can take a load (literally, haha) off mom’s mind. Men, you don’t have breasts but you do have two hands…get to changing those diapers.
Bring Baby-
During the night there is not a ton the dad can do but you know what he can do!
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
Bring you the baby. He can be the one that gets up and brings the baby to you while you stay in bed, healing. Again, it seems simple but the little things are what makes a huge difference. I think this one is more about unity. The dad getting up to help during the night is a huge show of support. That leads me to my next point.
Related: How We Finally Got Our Baby to Sleep!
Stay Awake-
Nursing in the middle of the night can be very lonely. All you have is your thoughts and those can be scary at times.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
If dad stays awake with you even for half the nursing session it helps you feel not so alone. It is a sign of unity and a reminder that you are in this together. Plus, sometimes you just want someone to talk to.
Positioning-
Ugh, this is an area I struggled with greatly at first. I couldn’t find a comfortable way to hold my son without feeling like I was suffocating him with my enormous breasts or without getting a serious cramp in my arm.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
He can help position baby by propping up pillows to support you an your child. This is a big help because you don’t want to be uncomfortable if you’re nursing every couple of hours.
The dad making sure you are comfortable also helps you feel supported and loved. **sidenote-later I found the Breastfriend and it legit became my Best friend! Aaron started brining me this instead because it was so easy to use and helped my position my son just right for nursing. If you’re about to start the breastfeeding adventure I highly recommend it!**
Related: An Open Letter to Dads
Pumping-
The first time I pumped I felt like a dairy cow. I was pumping with one breast and nursing with the other. This feeling, the one that made me feel like a cow, was not the best for my mental state.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
He can hold baby while you pump. This way you can focus on one thing at a time and feel a little less like a lactation device. Plus he can used the pumped milk to feed the baby. Feeding your baby really is a cool bonding experience that dad won’t want to miss out on.
Supporting breastfeeding moms goes beyond the nursing sessions themselves, and dads play a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth and successful breastfeeding journey.
One practical way dads can assist is by helping with pump parts.
Whether it’s assembling, cleaning, or even sterilizing pump components, their involvement ensures that the breastfeeding mom can focus on expressing milk without the added stress of managing equipment.
Additionally, dads can provide crucial emotional support during this process. As moms navigate the ups and downs of breastfeeding, knowing they have a partner who understands and empathizes can make a world of difference.
Dads can offer reassurance, celebrate milestones, and be a steady presence, especially during moments when the concern about producing enough milk may arise.
Together, through practical assistance and emotional encouragement, dads become essential allies in the breastfeeding journey, fostering a supportive environment for both the mother and the new baby.
Pacis-
Sucking is a huge way that babies soothe themselves. So, sometimes they nurse just because they want to suck on something.
How can dads help with breastfeeding…
If he has pacis handy for the soothing occasions this will help mom and baby. It’ll give your nipples a break and keep baby happy. Because Lord knows a crying baby will break your heart…and your ears. *sidenote- this was our favorite paci (still is) but it took some trial by error to figure out what our son liked best, so if your baby doesn’t like it at first they may just want a different brand*
Now, as I read over this list it seems like there is a lot for dad to do, but that can be empowering for men. Often times I feel like the dads don’t know what to do with babies during the newborn stage. Hopefully these ideas will help them have some guidance and help you get some rest!
In the early days of welcoming a new baby, breastfeeding can be both a rewarding and challenging experience for new mothers.
While breast milk plays an important role in nourishing and bonding with the newborn, it can sometimes be a daunting journey.
This is where new dads step in as invaluable partners, offering essential support to new moms.
New dads can help in numerous ways, from helping to ensure a comfortable breastfeeding environment to lending a listening ear and offering emotional support.
They can assist with diaper changes, burping, and other tasks to relieve some of the new mom’s responsibilities, giving her much-needed rest.
Their presence and encouragement can make all the difference, helping new moms build confidence and creating a nurturing environment for their new baby. In this beautiful journey of parenthood, new dads play a vital role in making the breastfeeding experience a smoother and more enjoyable one for both the baby and the new mom.
Disclaimer about Dads Helping Moms with Breastfeeding
The most significant way to offer assistance is by being aware of resources such as the national breastfeeding hotline.
Equipping themselves with the right information, new fathers can become a valuable source of support for breastfeeding moms, helping them troubleshoot challenges and seek guidance when needed.
Beyond practicalities, dads play a vital role in providing emotional support, especially in the context of postpartum depression.
By being attuned to their partner’s emotional well-being, dads can help mom navigate the emotional complexities that may arise during the breastfeeding journey.
Whether it’s celebrating successes, offering a listening ear, or encouraging self-care, the support of new fathers is instrumental in creating a positive and nurturing environment for both the mother and the new baby.
United Front!
Being a united front is the best way to approach breastfeeding and parenting in general!
I sincerely hope this helped you open up your mind to new ways you can work together as a team while taking care of this new little life you brought into this world.
I’m glad you’re here! You’ve got this!!
-Lindsey
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