Top tips for Breastfeeding dads

Dads can make or break the success of their baby being breastfed. We personally know just how important partners support is and how tremendous it can be to have someone by your side who values and supports breastfeeding. To try and help, we surveyed 60 breastfeeding mums to find out what their partners had done that had really helped them. Two of their quotes along with the top 20 tips for dads is below - and a couple of links to other dads sites.

“I’m very lucky, my husband is absolutely fantastic!  When he comes home from work he gets ‘stuck in’ straight away. He recognises I’ve been working just as hard at home, feeding a baby and entertaining a toddler, as he has at work all day.  We both know that once tea, bath and bedtime stories are out of the way we get our evening to ourselves.”  - Anna Robinson (Age 27, breastfed for 6 ½ and 7 ½ months)

 “When things were difficult in the early weeks and I got mastitis he would encourage me to keep going even when I begged him to get formula. He knew that breast feeding was what I wanted and sometimes had to be tough with me when I was ready to give in. I’m really grateful for that support as without it I wouldn’t have got through the early weeks.  We agreed on what we both wanted to do before the birth and stuck to it”. - Claire Tapping (Age 32, breastfed for 9 ½ months)

Real Baby Milk’s ‘Top Tips for Dads’ are the frequently cited suggestions of 60 breastfeeding mothers. Most men would like to find the best way to support their breastfeeding partners but aren’t always sure of the best ways to do so.

Real Baby Milk Top 20 Tips for Dads.

1. Fetch a feeding cushion and help her position your new baby correctly. In the early days this is really helpful.
2. Make sure she is comfortable. Pass her the remote, telephone or cup of tea. Bring her drinks and snacks. See she has a glass of water at least to hand as breastfeeding can be thirsty work.
3. Picking up your baby in night and bring it over to her in the night for a feed is a small kindness. Offering to wind or settle the baby down afterwards will also be appreciated. Her rest is important as she also has the day ahead to cope with.
4. Defend her choices with midwives and health visitors and make sure you know her own mind. Encourage her to stick with her choice to breastfeed when things are getting tough. She’ll thank you in the end if giving up is something you knew she would regret.
5. Do the bath routine with your baby and getting them ready for bed. It’s great bonding time for dads.
6. Carry your baby in a sling and let them have as much skin-to-skin contact with you too.
7. Compliment her on how well she is doing and how proud you are and field any negative comments that are made about breastfeeding and respond appropriately.
8. Tell her she looks nice even when she is feeling awful.
9. Do some household chores without being asked.
10. Give her a chance to have a lie-in or take the baby out for a walk so she can rest.
11. Cook a nice healthy, nutritious meal or leave her something tasty prepared in the fridge that she can microwave for her lunch time.
12. Cut up her dinner for her without having to be asked. Babies seem to have the instinct to feed just when it’s your meal time too. She’ll appreciate being able to feed herself with her one free hand.
13. Change nappies and pack the baby bag for outings.
14. Do the shopping. It’s much quicker for you to do it than for her to have to take the baby with her.
15. Keep the older children entertained and busy so that she can feed in peace without being pestered by jealous siblings
16. Get rid of unwanted guests in the house at feeding times. Think about the tables you chose in cafes, and make sure she can breastfeed discreetly if she is uncomfortable doing so in public.
17. For long journeys, plan breastfeeding stops built in.
18. If she gives you a bottle of expressed milk then let her have the bit of well-deserved baby-free time to herself. A 20mins break might make the world of difference to her.
19. Make sure she has lots of chocolate available. Buy flowers and run a nice bath for her when she looks tired.
20. Don’t pester to get your sex life back on track.