Partner Support & Breastfeeding
Vital for Success
Breastfeeding provides perfect nourishment for a baby and creates the foundation of the primary bond of the infant’s early years. The benefits of breastfeeding are numerous and well known. Breastfeeding is meant to work, however there can be challenges that arise along the way that may reduce the duration of breastfeeding, inhibit exclusive breastfeeding or stop the breastfeeding relationship altogether. This is why support for a breastfeeding mother is one factor that is critically important to her breastfeeding success. Breastfeeding is a life-giving, selfless, beautiful act that is also accompanied by a great deal of time, effort and energy put forth by the breastfeeding mother. Nursing an infant requires commitment, time, sacrifice and much more. This is why support on many levels is necessary for the breastfeeding relationship to not only survive, but to thrive.
One of the most essential areas of support that a breastfeeding mother needs is the support provided by her partner. The importance of partner support is often overlooked because the partner is unable to physically breastfeed the infant. This is misguided because there are many ways in which a partner can offer support, encourage the breastfeeding mother, protect the breastfeeding relationship and bond with the baby. In the earliest months of breastfeeding, an infant needs to breastfeed on a frequent basis. As the baby grows, his or her nursing needs change and evolve but the support of a partner is no less necessary. Many partners may feel alienated or excluded by the intimacy of the breastfeeding relationship however, partners have remarkable potential to either promote or hinder breastfeeding success.
Partners should be made aware of the many benefits of breastfeeding and work to create an atmosphere in the family that is supportive of breastfeeding from the very beginning. Breastfeeding provides the perfect food for a human baby providing advanced immune support, improved digestive function, less incidence of allergies, asthma, cancers and other illnesses and a host of other amazing benefits for the nursing baby. Breast milk helps to ensure proper brain development and it has been shown that breastfed babies have higher IQs. The breastfeeding mother is at less risk for certain types of cancer, osteoporosis and other diseases. Breastfeeding allows the mother to lose pregnancy weight faster and easier while also helping shrink the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size.
Breastfeeding is convenient and saves a great deal of money and time. A breastfed baby is portable, requiring none of the items needed when bottle or formula feeding. The mother can breastfeed the baby whenever she needs to and wherever she happens to be. Breastfeeding is also better for the planet because it produces no waste products or chemicals, doesn’t use any land or animals for production and there are no packing, shipping, marketing or production costs associated with it. Breastfeeding not only positively impacts the baby and immediate family but the community and world as well.
When partners are made aware of the many benefits of breastfeeding it can help create a positive attitude towards breastfeeding, which can set the tone in the family. This in turn promotes a successful breastfeeding relationship. A positive, accepting and encouraging attitude towards breastfeeding on the partner’s part can go a long way in maintaining a nurturing and supportive family atmosphere. Partners must be aware of and informed about a multitude of aspects of breastfeeding in order for them to become allies of the breastfeeding mother and baby. Knowledge of a breastfeeding mother’s rights regarding breastfeeding in public, extended breastfeeding, as well as pumping/breastfeeding when returning to work are all issues that can have an impact on the success of the breastfeeding relationship. Partners must not only be informed but also willing to be proactive and steadfast in their support and encouragement of the breastfeeding mother.
Partners are vitally important to breastfeeding success for many reasons. Breastfeeding can be demanding on a mother. Breastfeeding mothers need encouragement, validation and collaboration most especially during the times that may be challenging. A breastfeeding mother may doubt herself, her ability to care for and nurture her baby, be unsure about her milk supply or a host of other emotions, thoughts and feelings. She may be tired, stressed or anxious particularly after giving birth or if her obligations are too many. These are the times when a partner must offer the right types of support if the breastfeeding relationship is to survive and thrive. Partners may offer encouraging words, praise or reminders of the amazing role she is filling. Simply listening to the breastfeeding mother may be what is needed. In times of stress and discouragement, it might be difficult for the breastfeeding mother to accurately express what she might need. Partners can help keep a sense of humor alive as well as offer their own judgment or perspective on a situation.
Partners can support their breastfeeding counterparts in practical ways as well. It is very important that a breastfeeding mother stay well hydrated, nourished and rested. Partners can bring a nursing mother water and snacks while she is breastfeeding, prepare healthy snacks for when he or she is away and create time for the breastfeeding mother to rest during the day. Caring for the baby and/or other siblings, doing housework and laundry, fielding phone calls and managing visitors are all ways to help ensure the breastfeeding mother can rest. Setting boundaries and limits on obligations, work and helping to ensure that the breastfeeding mother is surrounded only by those supportive of breastfeeding are ways that a partner’s support is instrumental.
There are times when breastfeeding challenges arise and action must be taken. At the first sign of a problem, qualified assistance must be sought immediately. An IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) is the most qualified professional to turn to when a breastfeeding problem occurs. Chronic pain when breastfeeding is NOT normal. With the proper help challenges can be resolved. Partners should be aware of what to look for so that the proper resources can be accessed in the event of a problem. Some signs that the breastfeeding mother may be experiencing challenges include: nipple pain or soreness that lasts throughout feedings, poor weight gain in the baby, painful breasts or general concerns about milk supply or health of the baby. Partners should have the appropriate resources readily available so that help can be accessed immediately.
With all that a partner can do to support breastfeeding success, one might wonder how partners can bond with their babies. There are numerous ways that a partner can bond with his or her baby that do not include breastfeeding. One powerful way to bond with your baby is to wear your baby in a sling or carrier. Following all safety precautions, wearing your baby is a wonderful way to spend time with and get to know your child. It provides the safety, security, touch and human presence that your child craves. Spending time with the baby skin-to-skin is another precious and valuable way to bond. Partners can sing, hum, talk and read to their babies. The sound of a loving caregiver’s voice activates a young child’s brain and provides important connections for that baby as well. Playing games with and bathing the baby are also fun ways to bond with your child. Learning infant massage techniques, swaddling the baby, as well as taking the baby for a walk outdoors or a short outing, provides the mother with a break and you with special one on one time. Get creative and have fun! Creating a bond with your baby is the most worthwhile thing that you will do.
Breastfeeding is a powerful, nurturing, life-giving act that requires a great deal of support, commitment and encouragement. Partners play a vital and important role in promoting the success of a breastfeeding relationship. There are a multitude of ways that a partner can be supportive of a breastfeeding mother and baby. No one can replace the love and support of a significant other.