Breastfeeding is a shared responsibility, not solely the duty of mothers.
Father's boobs are useless. How can they take active participation in breastfeeding?
Fathers can not breastfeedย butย they can play a significant role in supporting mothers and babies during breastfeeding. Father's active participation can enhance the breastfeeding experience for mother and baby.
So, how does the father can contribute during breastfeeding?
> Learn aboutย breastfeeding,ย knowย the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding. Show solidarity if the mother attends breastfeeding classes.
>ย Be supportive ofย mother and baby and help them establish a breastfeeding routine.
> Early days could be challengingย soย encourage the mother and make your presence to overcome early days of breastfeeding challenges.
> Help new mothers with household chores.ย
> Take charge of dailyย routineย tasks such as diaper change, bathing/sponging baby, making baby sleep, or playing with baby.
> Make meals or snacks, tea or coffee for the mother while she is breastfeeding. And if you don't knowย thenย at least manage it for the time being following instructions.
> At night, bring the baby to the mother and make things ready for the mother to feed. And soothe the baby back to sleep after feeding.
> Help mother and baby with breastfeeding positioning to ensure both are comfortable.
> Help baby burp after breastfeeding.
ย
That's just about managing the tasksย thenย how can it help mother and baby?ย Well, research says the active involvement of fathers can help in various ways,
ย > Father's emotional and practical support can help mothers boost theirย confidence to breastfeed. Eventuallyย leadsย to successful breastfeeding and overcoming psychological challenges.
> Fathers' active involvement in breastfeeding can positively impact the father-baby bonding.ย And sharedย journey strengthen the boning between the parents.
> Father's support can help manage the postpartum journeyย whichย may otherwise increase the chances of stress, anxiety, baby bluesย toย even depression. Which affects the breastmilk production and overall well-being.ย
> Breastfed babies tend to develop better health and overall growth.ย
Importantly,ย active participation can make the father more satisfied with the parenting role.
ย
The father's active role fosters a strong bond as the family and baby get the best possible start in life with the breastfeeding journey.
