How To Support A Breastfeeding Partner

How you choose to feed your newborn is a big decision.

You want to do everything you can to protect your baby and make healthy choices for them. That is why making the decision to breastfeed is so important.

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Breast milk is superfood for babies.

Breast milk contains the perfect blend of nutrients for your baby.

And breast milk is more than just food, it’s also medicine.

Every single feeding of breast milk gives baby important health benefits that can last a lifetime. Breast milk boosts baby’s immune system and helps protects them from infections.

It supports baby’s brain development and growth and is easiest for your little one to digest.

Did you know?
If mom is sick, the best thing she can do is breastfeed her baby. Breast milk contains antibodies that protects the baby from getting the same illness. 

There are a LOT of reasons for mom to breastfeed.  It saves money, is better for the environment, and takes less time than bottle feeding.  

Read More: 101 Reasons To Breastfeed

Breastfeeding Takes Teamwork!
Your support is Vital

With a lack of proper support from a husband or partner, many women stop breastfeeding before they’re ready and don’t reach their breastfeeding goals.

Your support is one of the most important factors for breastfeeding success. Your support helps your partner both start and continue to breastfeed.

The more supportive you are, the longer your partner is likely to breastfeed and the more confident she’ll feel.

How To Support Your Partner Emotionally During Breastfeeding

• Have a conversation with her ahead of time so you know her breastfeeding goals.
  
  
  

• Keep the lines of communication open.
  Her needs will change hour-to-hour and day-to-day. Continually check in with your partner often to know how they’re feeling and exactly what you can do to help them.

• Stay close-by.
  Breastfeeding can sometimes be a lonely experience, especially in the middle of the night. It can be nice to have someone to talk to during such an isolating time.

• Encourage her through the hard times.
  Many women give up breastfeeding sooner than they’d like because of unforeseen hurdles along the way.  Your support can be integral in keeping breastfeeding going during challenges. Provide verbal encouragement and help her troubleshoot during any rough patches.

• Boost her confidence.
  Providing reassurance, particularly when she’s tired or frustrated.  Tell her what she’s doing well.  Positivity and acknowledgment can go a long way to making them feel appreciated for all the progress she’s made so far.

• Protect her from others’ opinions.
  Not everyone will understand you and your partner’s decision to breastfeed. You can be the first line of defense against negative comments, discouragement, and misinformation.

Practical Ways To Support Your Partner During Breastfeeding

• Make sure her basic needs are being met. 
  Go out of your way to ensure she’s getting enough sleep, has enough to eat, is getting some alone time, takes a daily shower/bath, and is constantly hydrating.

• Help with household chores.
  Take on a few extra responsibilities around the house so mom can focus on getting breastfeeding off to a great start without worrying about the laundry or dishes.

• Bring her a drink and a healthy snack while she’s breastfeeding. 

• Help her get comfortable during nursing.
  Be sure she has enough pillows. In the beginning she may even need some extra hands to help baby latch.

• Arrange for help in the early weeks if possible.
  The more you and others can make the first couple of months easier, the better. This will help ensure mom can focus on breastfeeding and the baby.

• After a nursing session, take the baby so mom can have a break. Suggest mom takes a nap, eats a meal, takes a bath, reads a book, or just relaxes.

• Help with child care duties.
  If you have other children, help out with them so your partner can focus on breastfeeding.
  
  

• Be an expert.
  Read up on evidence-based breastfeeding info. Learn your state’s laws about breastfeeding in public. Learn about preventing and managing breastfeeding difficulties so you can assist.
  
  
  

• Assist with night feeds.
  Bring baby to mom for night feeds and then change their diaper and put baby back to sleep.
  
  
  

• Get specialist help if your partner is experiencing difficulties.
  The gold standard for lactation consultants are called IBCLC’s. (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants)
  
  
  

• Talk to other fathers about their experiences with supporting breastfeeding.
  

• Keep an eye out for comfy locations for mom to breastfeeding when you’re out in public.
  

• Create a nursing nook in your home.
  A nursing nook is simply a comfortable place to breastfeed where mom has access to whatever she needs.
  
  
  

• In the middle of the feeding, bring mom a glass of water, a box of tissues, cold compresses, fresh nursing pads, lanolin cream or anything else needed.

• Document this special time in your lives by taking a photo or video of mom nursing.
  Or if you want to make it extra special, hire a professional photographer.
  
  
  

• Place a water and snack next to the breastfeeding chair for middle of the night feedings.
  

• Accept help from your family and friends.
  
  
  

• Be an advocate.
  Explain to family and friends about the benefits and importance of breastfeeding.
  

• Help her get sleep.
  Remind her to nap when the baby sleeps during the day.
  
  

• Run errands for her so that she can focus on baby.
  

• Be a gatekeeper.
  Limit visitors in the early days when mom and baby are learning to breastfeed. Keep visits short and maintain boundaries when others try to stay too long.  Ask visitors to help around the house so mom can focus on baby.

• Make sure there is plenty of food in the house by doing the grocery shopping and cooking nourishing meals and snacks.

• Cook dinner.
  Often babies feed a lot in the evening and this is a great opportunity for you to cook a meal for you and your partner. 

Things dad can do to bond with baby while mom is resting:

• Hold and rock your baby

• Practice skin-to-skin (put your diapered baby on your chest to hear your heartbeat and feel your body warmth)

• Sing to your baby

• Dance with your baby

• Listen to music with your baby

• Take them for a walk

• Read a book to your baby

• Burp your baby

• Give your baby a bath

• Give baby a massage

• Carry baby in a sling/baby carrier

Q&A’s About Breastfeeding

Is breastfeeding all or nothing?

NO! Every ounce counts! Even though exclusive breastfeeding is best, it’s not an all-or-nothing choice. Even if your baby gets SOME breast milk they’ll get some benefits.  The longer your partner breastfeeds, the greater the benefits to your baby will be, and the longer benefits will last.

What is the recommended duration to breastfeed?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization also recommend exclusive breastfeeding for about the first 6 months, with continued breastfeeding along with introducing appropriate complementary foods for up to 2 years of age or longer.

How do I know baby is getting enough breast milk?

You may worry your baby is not getting enough because you can’t measure the amount they get when they breastfeed. There are 2 ways to tell: they’re having enough wet/dirty diapers and they’re gaining weight at a normal rate for their age.

Can I bottle feed my baby?

Yes, but it’s recommended to wait until the baby is at least 4 weeks old to introduce a bottle as long as they’re born full-term and have no health problems. It takes time for mom and baby to get breastfeeding off to a good rhythm and introducing a bottle too early can negatively interfere with breastfeeding.

How often should baby breastfeed?

Newborns fed at least 8-12 times every 24 hours.  Feed on demand and don’t limit feeding sessions.  There may be a time in the day where the baby wants to feed continuously for a few hours. This is cluster feeding and perfectly normal and often happens in the evening. Babies may also feed more frequently for a couple of days in a row to send signals to boost milk production. This is sometimes called a ‘growth spurt’ and is also normal baby breastfeeding behavior.

When is it time to breastfeed again?

Don’t wait for baby to cry for food.  Breastfed babies feed frequently in the early weeks, especially during the evenings. Respond to your baby’s hunger cues, whenever they are hungry.  

Is breastfeeding a contraceptive?

No. Even if your partner’s period hasn't returned yet, she can still get pregnant during breastfeeding.

Can my partner take medications and still breastfeed?

Most medications are fine to take when breastfeeding but check with your health professional. 

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