Fatherly support of Breastfeeding; Welcome, Carnival of Breastfeeding readers!

Hey Dads,
I know that breastfeeding initially seems like a strange topic for a fathers’ blog, however I think that it is an important one to cover, not only for new dads, but for all of us who are fathers and even grandfathers. As breastfeeding becomes more popular in our culture, information about it, and what we as fathers can do to support our wives is needed. One of the most important things to know is that this is a normal function of a woman’s body and is nothing to be ashamed of. By supporting and encouraging breastfeeding we are not only helping our children grow and thrive, but we are also changing our culture to be more accepting of the natural and normal way children should be fed.
An essential component of a successful breastfeeding relationship is a father’s support. I help my wife in many ways while she is nursing and consequently she has more time to focus on building the nursing relationship and bond with our children. Sometimes this means taking care of making dinner or playing with Ian while she nurses Noah. Sometimes it means bringing her a large glass of water. These small acts of love and support mean a great deal to her. However I think one of the greatest means of support that I have given her is sharing her joy in watching our children grow and become strong. There have been days that she felt overwhelmed by the breastfeeding needs of our children. My support is critical in those moments, enabling her to focus on our child’s needs and to give him the time and nurturing that he needs in that moment, and let everything else go. Sure, it means that the house isn’t as clean as it might have been, or dinner’s a little late but it’s worth it. Watching the bond grow between my children and their mother has been amazing. I know that it is a bond that I can’t be part of and in truth I would not want to be part of it. Nursing is a bond meant for mothers and their children. Watching my children nurse, I see the joy that it brings to them, as well as the joy that it brings to my wife, and I share in that joy. I know that my children are receiving the best possible start in life nutritionally and also that their high emotional need for connection is simultaneously being met. I’ve heard it said that babies should be taught to take a bottle so that Dad can have bonding time with his baby; I strongly disagree. My relationship with my sons is not diminished by their breastfeeding relationship with their mother; it is enhanced by it.

A Fellow Father