Breastmilk provides ideal nutrition, and while mom may be the one who does the most work, there are ways dad can help. Their attitude and support are crucial, and if they learn more about how breastfeeding works, can be a major part of the team. Dads can offer comfort and encouragement in the early days of nursing or when moms feel discouraged.
Many women, about 42 percent, give up breastfeeding in the first month after delivery. Moms need love and reassurance as her body adjusts. Sometimes it’s that love and support which makes all the difference in how nursing moms weather the early weeks.
Other ways dads can help: If you decide against bottle feeding, dad can be the main solid-food feeder later on. He can still be a great support to you and the baby during this transition time. We asked our Facebook fans if they pump so dad can take part in feeding their little ones and here’s what they had to say:
- Babies need more than just food. Dads can walk, rock, bathe, change diapers chatter and have precious one-on-one time with the baby.
- Dads often find they have a particular gift at soothing a fussy baby. Babies often respond differently to the deeper, richer voice of a dad.
- Dad can get up with you during night feeds. He can help get the baby ready to feed, burp, do a diaper change, and settle the little one back to sleep.
- Dads can be a great help with helping with chores, shopping, cleaning, or cooking. Be sure to let him know what a great job he is doing and specific ways to help with these activities around the home.
- Help dad understand breastfeeding is work and you get hungry and thirsty. He can help by providing water to drink while you are feeding the baby. Share with him some of your favorite snacks so he can have them ready during feeding times. Dads need cuddle time too. Skin-to-skin contact can help settle your baby and provide a special connection. Have dad talk, sing, and read so the baby learns his voice too – all of these activities can help dads bond.
- Once your milk supply is established (and this can take weeks to months) and you have a stash of pumped milk in the fridge, Dad may fill in for a feeding at night using your pumped milk and a bottle. This can allow mom to extend her sleep and rest.
- If mom has to return to work and pumps and stores her milk, dad can participate in feedings that way, too. That said, keeping the baby at the breast is the best way to assure mom’s milk production.
- There is no way dad can just figure out the best way to help – so have conversations about it before everyone becomes exhausted and stressed out. Be specific about what you need him to do to help – so he can be successful and you can get what you need. This can reduce the stress on everyone. Most lactation experts suggest nursing moms wait until their infant is one month old and breastfeeding is well-established before introducing a bottle. After your baby is comfortable with nursing, a bottle of breastmilk can be a positive bonding experience for both dad and his child.
“I have a small freezer stash for if I have something to do and someone is watching the baby, and then I work one night a week so I pump then and the hubby feeds her.”
“Since baby is only a month we haven't started bottles but hoping hubby can do one bottle feed at night next month.”
“I pump during the day and daddy helps with all day feedings and I nurse at night. Works out so well. Gives me a little break.”
Sometimes it’s difficult for dads to find a role when it comes to nursing. But today’s dad plays a necessary role in breastfeeding.
