Friends and Family Support Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is easier when mothers can count on a strong support system. How can you help her to breastfeed? Most of all, by doing whatever is needed at the moment: helping her relax, keeping a low profile at times, listening to her concerns and providing continuous emotional support.
Some well-meaning advice can actually undermine her efforts to breastfeed. Instead, have a breastfeeding resource list handy (including the phone number to an IBCLC) if she needs advice or has concerns. Be supportive of her choice to breastfeed. Provide lots of encouragement and tell her you are proud of her commitment. Help her ignore negative comments she might hear about breastfeeding and reassure her breastfeeding is the perfect food for her baby. If you are a friend or relative that has breastfed your own children you can provide the much needed "you can do it" attitude when difficulties arise.
New moms need help balancing caring for self and baby. If you are a father, partner, or helper, you can take the baby for a walk so she can nap or go out for a while. Help with daily chores. Bring her the baby at night for nursing, help her burp and change baby after feedings. Offer her a beverage or snack, massage, a warm bath and remind her to take a nap. Prepare simple meals, order out or call someone to bring a meal. Occupy an older sibling, put a load of clothes in the washer, monitor visitors and uplift her spirits. Fathering a breastfed baby brings much joy and the benefits last a lifetime. These are just a few things that provide real, practical help to breastfeeding mothers.
Contact us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Rev. 4/06
