As World Breastfeeding Week passes us by we want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate those who support the nursing mother and child. For many women, a constant and unwavering level of support comes from their baby’s father.
Encouragement from your partner and other influential people around you is key to developing and maintaining a successful breastfeeding relationship. Breastfeeding requires patience, dedication, and endurance through those long, exhausting, and sometimes painful early days. Being told simple phrases such as; “I am proud of you,” and “You are doing a great job” can make all the difference to a nursing mother.
Bloom turned to our community to see if any local fathers had advice or tips on supporting breastfeeding moms. Here is what they had to say:
- Have patience
- Help clean pumping supplies
- Take care of the older children
- Offer constant encouragement
- Be an advocate for breastfeeding
- Bring the mom water and healthy snacks while she is nursing
- Remind the mom she is doing the right thing, and doing a great job
- Help in other ways, such as changing diapers and rocking the baby
- Don’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of the breastfeeding relationship
- Remind the mom you appreciate her giving the time to give their baby the best
- Make it your duty to ensure breastfeeding is possible no matter the time or location
I asked my husband, Joe, what he felt his role in breastfeeding was. He replied, “To offer continual support in the commitment to exclusively breastfeed our children. And not allow other peoples opinions of breastfeeding impact your level of comfort nursing in public places. If a baby needs to eat, he should be fed no matter the location or source.”
One thing all these fathers had to say was to ALWAYS offer encouragement, support, and love. Each mother and baby is different and will have a different breastfeeding journey. While fathers may not be able to physically feed the baby, their support is equally as important. The love and encouragement of these fathers nourishes the soul of the nursing duo. It is also imperative for these fathers to enjoy time cuddling and interacting with their babies. I know I can speak from personal experience, I always enjoyed a few moments to myself after a long nursing session while my husband shared some time bonding with our son.