The Importance of Fathers in the Breastfeeding Relationship

 

(United States Breastfeeding Committee)

When a new baby arrives, everyone is excited and wants to help, especially the dad. However, while the mom nurses the baby, the dad might feel left out and wonder what his role is. It turns out, there is a lot for dads to do!

First, a dad’s role is to support the nursing mom. He can get her pillows and help her get comfortable to nurse the baby. He can get her snacks and water during the nursing sessions. He can make meals and do other necessary household chores. Most importantly, he can be a breastfeeding cheerleader and encourage her to keep trying if there are any difficulties! He can call the lactation consultant if necessary. A father can also pray for his wife. He can be a best friend to his wife. He can listen and spend time with his her, hold the baby when she needs some rest or a shower, and help her work through her emotions in the early days.

Secondly, the father can spend a lot of time taking care of the baby and bonding with him. He can burp the baby after a feeding, change diapers and clothes, snuggle with baby, walk around with baby during fussy times, hold baby skin to skin, play with the baby, and help out during the night when the baby awakes.

The Catholic Nursing Mother League believes the dad’s role is so important, we even included him in the principles of our ministry!

Principle #6: Children deserve to be raised to appreciate the equality and complementarity of men and women in the context of lifelong marriage.  Fathers offer essential spiritual and emotional support to their breastfeeding wives, and they provide for and protect the nursing couple.  These early acts of service lay the groundwork for fathers' unique and irreplaceable role in their children's lives.

As you can see, the father is a necessary part of the breastfeeding relationship! He is very much needed!

Written by Gina M. Peterson, IBCLC