The Ministry of Health of New Zealand emphasizes the importance of a father or partner's role in breastfeeding.
Here are some effective ways that a father or partner can be involved with a mother's breastfeeding activity, as shared by the Ministry of Health.
Attend a breastfeeding education session together
If a partner attends a breastfeeding education session it will help them understand the significance of breastfeeding to you, baby and your family.
It may also help them understand not only how they can help and support you with breastfeeding but what ways they can get close to, be involved with and interact with the new baby.
Talk to your lead maternity carer
If you and your partner can't attend a session on breastfeeding together, then make sure that the baby's father or other close support person is there at a visit with the lead maternity carer. You should take the opportunity to discuss breastfeeding and get the answers to both of your questions.
Ask your lead maternity carer to arrange a suitable appointment time so both you and your partner can arrange to be there (and other family members too, if appropriate). Get your partner to think about questions they would like answers to before they attend the meeting.
Ways fathers/partners can connect with their baby other than bottle feeding
Sometimes fathers/partners think that giving the baby a bottle of breast milk is the most satisfying and important part of baby care they can be involved with.
Introducing a bottle, even with breast milk in it, can interrupt the breastfeeding process when you and baby are adjusting and sorting out the balance of milk supply and baby appetite.
There are lots of other ways that fathers/partners can feel close and connected to their babies. They can:
- Bathe the baby or have a bath with them
- Try skin-to-skin contact
- Learn about baby cues.
They are often very good at calming a fussy new baby too, with close cuddles, walking and a soothing voice, which is a great support for a tired new mother.
Fathers/partners get tired too, of course, and there will be lots of opportunities for both you and the father/partner to emotionally support and help each other during the busy adjustment period after birth when you're getting used to being new parents and while breastfeeding is establishing.