Dads

Many people think that the breastfeeding relationship is solely for the mother and child; however Dads really are an essential part to a successful breastfeeding experience.

The support a Dad can give to his partner is invaluable.  From ensuring that Mum is allowed a relaxed home environment, supplied with a drink and something to eat when feeding their baby, to having personal skin to skin contact with his baby are of utmost importance.  Even listening and reading all the information about feeding will help, as two brains are better than one, and if your partner has forgotten some of the information, you will more than likely have remembered it!

Do not underestimate how important a Dad is!  Sometimes Dads feel left out in the first few weeks as so much attention is focused on the baby and their Mum.  However without your support it is difficult for your partner to succeed in breastfeeding.

You as a Dad do not need to feed your baby to form a close loving bond.  Holding, touching and loving your baby will ensure this happens.  However if you really want to feed your baby, once breastfeeding is established, then expressed breast milk will cover both aspects.

 Skin to skin contact with your baby is one of the most rewarding and beneficial experience a person can have.  It will not only calm your baby and make them feel safe.  A baby will hear and feel your heartbeat when having skin to skin contact and this is a noise that your baby is used to from being inside the womb and therefore it can calm even the most fractious and tired baby. To begin skin to skin contact, ensue that you are naked to the waist and that your baby is only in their nappy, then place your baby on your naked chest and then cover both of you with a blanket to keep you both warm.

Current guidelines are that babies exclusively breastfeed for 6 months.  Some mums feel they need more support when feeding their baby, especially if the baby is going through a growth spurt and feeding more and more often. It is perfectly normal for the baby to do this as they are increasing their milk supply. However, it is a high demand on their mum. Knowing that you are there, as an extra pair of hands around the house, or to pop to the shops, or to have an adult to have a conversation with as well as taking the baby when they are finished, is invaluable to your partner.  Breastfeeding is the best nutrition your baby can have and it can be hard work for mums at the beginning, so having you there is vital.

.