Let's Breastfeed

Breastfeeding, a family affair!

I love this photo. Often when mums call to make an appointment with me, they tentatively ask whether or not their husband can be present during the consultation at my breastfeeding practice, to which I reply it ‘It goes without saying that he is more than welcome and possibly even expected to be there.’ Why? Because dads and the rest of the family play a very important role in breastfeeding!

We have all heard mums say that they chose to bottle feed baby, so that their other half could help and be involved with baby’s care from the start, so that they could bond and feel included. How a mum decides to feed her baby is her choice, but I just wanted to reassure expectant mums that there are very real ways dads can be involved and helpful without side stepping breastfeeding.

Just think about it for a minute. Women, the softer sex have babies and depending on the outcome of their delivery, will need a degree of looking after, supporting, nurturing and protecting. That leaves men, the stronger sex and perfect candidate, free to do just that. It is a man’s role to protect and care for his wife/partner and his young; it is not his role to feed his young.

So without sending him off to do the dishes, mopping and ironing, how can you get your husband or partner involved and bonding with his baby? You ask him to help you breastfeed.

Breastfeeding is a skill, a technique which is or can be quite intricate. There is also a logical method of allowing mum to latch baby onto the breast, feed and settle all of which the fathers in my practice understand and grasp far quicker than the mums. When I am able teach a dad how his baby needs to be positioned, latched and encouraged to stay focused during the feed, the success rate is incredibly high! Why? Because dad is taking control and is gently guiding his wife through the practicalities of nursing their baby.

Their conversation will usually go something like this:

Dad: Does it hurt?
Mum: No not at all, this is amazing. Can you see him swallowing? I am not sure if I can tell the difference between his sucks and swallows.
Dad: There, did you see that? Compress, okay, did you see that swallow? Look, you can see this bit dropping further when he swallows, can you see? Man he is really getting so much milk now. This little guy is going to sleep for weeks! I am so proud of you!
Mum: This is so amazing.

It is one of the most heart melting scenes to see a mum nursing her little one comfortably whilst a beaming dad looks on at what they have achieved together.

Yes there is the winding and the nappy changes that dads are better able to manage as they have not just birthed a baby, but I believe the extreme bonding happens at breastfeeds.

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