How you can help with breastfeeding

When a new mother is breastfeeding, it may seem like Dad has little or no role to play in infant feeding. Not true! A supportive partner is very important and much appreciated by a breastfeeding mother. Your baby and your partner need you, and there are specific ways you can help.

Learn about breastfeeding

When your partner wants to discuss what she's learning about infant feeding methods, listen to her. Join in the discussion. Read the materials she brings home from her health care provider visits. Go with her to her prenatal visits and ask your own questions. Attend prenatal and breastfeeding preparation classes with her, where you'll learn even more about breastfeeding and formula feeding.

Here's information you can use:

The Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend that babies receive breast milk in the first year.
Breastfed babies have significantly fewer respiratory and ear infections than bottle-fed babies and are less likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Breastfeeding reduces an infant's risk of developing food allergies, and initial research suggests that breastfeeding may have a long-term positive effect on a baby's immune system.
Breastfeeding helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy state more quickly and helps postpartum bleeding stop more quickly.
Breastfeeding can help protect the mother against cancer of the breast and ovary.
Breastfeeding releases hormones that help the mother relax and enjoy her baby.
Breastfeeding is free, and there are no bottles to wash.
Breast milk is all the food a baby needs for the first 6 months.

Know what to expect

When you read about breastfeeding, you'll learn that newborns nurse about every 1 to 3 hours each day. As babies get older, they can go longer between feedings.

Handle mini-crises with love and encouragement

New mothers often doubt their abilities in many areas. Breastfeeding is one of them. Your partner may feel discouraged or weepy, and express doubts about whether or not she has enough milk. It would be rare for her to not be producing enough milk.

Your baby doesn't need a bottle. Your partner just needs encouragement. Tell her you have faith in her. Encourage her to sit or lie down and relax more often for a few days. Let her know that you understand that this is a big adjustment.

Actively support her

As soon as you two make an infant feeding choice, someone will challenge your decision.

One of the grandmas may testify that all her children were bottle-fed and turned out just fine.
A sister may say that when she returned to work, breastfeeding became "too hard."
Friends may say things like "Maybe your baby cries so much because she's hungry." "Are you sure he's eating enough?" "Why don't you sleep and let me feed her a bottle."

You can respond to these kinds of comments so your partner doesn't have to: "We've decided on breastfeeding, and it's going very well." "Our baby is gaining weight, and Sally is doing such a great job breastfeeding." "Our baby's crying because he needs me to hold him!"

Help with feedings

Yes, there are things you can do.

Bring her pillows and then hold your baby while she gets settled in a comfortable position.
Bring her something to drink. She'll get thirsty while nursing.
After your baby has finished nursing on one side, burp or walk with your baby until your partner is ready to start on the other side.
If your baby falls asleep, you can carry him or her to the crib.

Be the bottle feeder

If your baby is older and takes an occasional bottle, it may work best with you holding the bottle. Your baby may equate your partner with breastfeeding and fuss at the idea of taking a bottle from her. Here's your chance for a close cuddle with your baby over a meal.