Every year, the world celebrates World Breastfeeding Week from August 1 to August 7. This is a special week dedicated to promoting breastfeeding as a critical action for the long term wellbeing of both the new baby and mother. Breastfeeding is a significant and intimate part of the early stages of parenting, and supporting breastfeeding as a dad, husband or partner can play a crucial role in the success and well-being of both the breastfeeding mother and the baby. According to the National Library of Medicine, new mothers should exclusively breastfeed their newborns for 6 months. This means that the baby should not be given any other food or drink including water because breast milk is safe, clean and contains antibodies that protects a new baby from common illnesses, gives them energy and the essential nutrients they need in the first few months of life and beyond.
Successful breastfeeding is no mean feat! So new mums need all the support they can get from you: their partner! Understanding and actively participating in this process can make a tremendous difference. It can make the job easier for your partner and foster peace and love in your home. In this guide, we explore what breastfeeding support entails, its importance, the impact of lacking support, and practical ways you can assist your partner to successfully breastfeed.
What is Breastfeeding Support?
Breastfeeding support refers to the various forms of assistance and encouragement provided to a breastfeeding mother to help her successfully nurse her baby. This support can come from healthcare professionals, family members, friends, and particularly from you, the partner. It encompasses emotional encouragement, practical help, and ensuring a supportive environment for the mother. Breastfeeding support starts even before the arrival of the baby as we would see later in this article. Now, let us discuss the various types of support that you can can give your breastfeeding partner
- Emotional Support: This includes providing reassurance and encouragement to the mother. Breastfeeding can be physically draining and emotionally demanding, and positive reinforcement can help her persevere through challenges. You should convince your breastfeeding partner by words and action that you are with her on the breastfeeding journey every step of the way!
- Practical Support: This involves helping with tasks such as managing household responsibilities, looking after older children, assisting with feeding schedules, and ensuring the mother has the necessary resources and comfort needed to breastfeed. You really need to be her breastfeeding “knight in shining armour”
- Informational Support: Providing access to resources, such as consulting with lactation specialists or attending parenting classes together, can be invaluable. Go out of your way to obtain relevant information that would be relevant and useful to her!
- Physical Support: This may include helping your partner with positioning the baby correctly, handling breast pumps, or even giving the mother a break by taking over other childcare duties. You can encourage your partner to express and store breast milk so that you can feed the baby while she gets some rests
Research indicates that breastfeeding support can significantly impact breastfeeding outcomes. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Human Lactation found that partners who actively supported breastfeeding saw longer breastfeeding durations and better maternal mental health outcomes
Why is Breastfeeding Support Important?
The importance of breastfeeding support can not be overemphasised. Your partner needs your support for many reasons including these ones below:
- Promotes Successful Breastfeeding: Adequate support can help mothers overcome common challenges such as latch issues, pain, and low milk supply. Studies have shown that comprehensive support increases the likelihood of initiating and maintaining breastfeeding
- Enhances Maternal Well-being: Support from partners can reduce stress and anxiety, which are often linked to breastfeeding difficulties. Your presence of a supportive partner can lead to better maternal mental health and a more positive breastfeeding experience for your spouse
- Improves Infant Health: Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for infants, including lower risks of infections, allergies, and chronic diseases. Supportive environments increase the likelihood that mothers will continue breastfeeding, thereby enhancing infant health
- Strengthens Family Bonding: When you actively engage in the breastfeeding process, it can foster stronger family bonds in your family and promote a more collaborative parenting approach. This support can contribute to a more united family dynamic and shared responsibility
The Effect of Lack of Support from Husbands
The absence of breastfeeding support from partners can have several negative effects. They include:
- Shorter Breastfeeding Duration: Without adequate support, mothers may face increased difficulties and stress, which can lead to a shorter duration of breastfeeding. Research has shown that unsupportive partners are linked to earlier cessation of breastfeeding
- Increased Maternal Stress: Lack of support can increase feelings of isolation and stress for breastfeeding mothers. This can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, impacting both the mother and the infant
- Reduced Bonding: A lack of involvement from you as a partner can lead to feelings of resentment and decreased emotional connection between you and your spouse. This situation can affect overall family relationships and the quality of parental care.
- Negative Impacts on Infant Health: When breastfeeding support is inadequate, the likelihood of breastfeeding challenges increases, potentially affecting the infant’s health outcomes. Lower breastfeeding rates are associated with higher risks of infant illnesses and developmental issues
How to Support Your Breastfeeding Partner
Here are practical ways you can support your breastfeeding partner to make the process easier, regarding and successful:
- Educate Yourself: Breastfeeding support starts even before the arrival of the baby. Learn about breastfeeding basics and common challenges. Understanding the process and potential issues can help you provide informed support. Resources such as the La Leche League and the American Academy of Pediatrics offer valuable information on breastfeeding
- Offer Emotional Encouragement: Be patient and provide reassurance. Acknowledge the effort and dedication involved in breastfeeding. Positive affirmations and encouragement can boost your partner’s confidence and morale and make breastfeeding less challenging.
- Share Household Responsibilities: As stated earlier, take on additional household tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and caring for other children. This allows your partner to focus on breastfeeding and recovery without being overwhelmed by other responsibilities.
- Help with Infant Care: Assist with diaper changes, burping the baby, and soothing the baby. This gives your partner time to rest and can make breastfeeding more manageable.
- Support Feeding Decisions: Respect your partner’s feeding choices and help create a comfortable environment for breastfeeding. If she chooses to use a breast pump, assist with setting it up and handling the logistics. This would also enable you to help our ith feeding the baby while your partner gets a much deserved rest
- Attend Appointments Together: Join her in visits to lactation consultants or pediatricians. This shows that you are invested in the process and helps you both stay informed about the baby’s feeding needs.
- Be Patient and Flexible: Understand that breastfeeding can be challenging and that there might be setbacks. Approach these challenges with patience and a willingness to adapt as needed.
- Create a Supportive Environment: Ensure that your partner has a comfortable and private space for breastfeeding. If needed, provide tools and resources to make the experience more pleasant, such as breastfeeding pillows or nursing bras.
Supporting your partner during the breastfeeding journey is a critical role that can have far-reaching effects on your family’s well-being. By being proactive and actively involved, you can help ensure a positive breastfeeding experience, contribute to better health outcomes for your baby, and strengthen your relationship.
References
American Academy of Pediatrics.
WIC Breastfeeding Support: US Department of Agriculture
World Health Organization
Journal of Human Lactation
For other useful tips and information on how to be a supportive partner and ace your dad game, click HERE
