Breastfeeding has countless benefits. Numerous health benefits for mom and her baby. It can also save a family money that’s spend on formula, pediatrician and hospital visits.
A mother’s plans to breastfeed may stop short of reaching her goal for various reasons. Only a small percent of mothers cannot breastfeed for medical reasons, most mothers who gives up breastfeeding is for other reasons such as lack of support. As a result, many of these mothers may experience guilt and even postpartum depression. Lack of support often could be as a result of not knowing how to support. A breastfeeding mother needs to feel her family, friends, physicians and community is supports her decision to breastfeed for baby.
Fathers do not have to feel left out because they cannot feed the baby. Fathers can assist with breastfeeding in many ways by helping mom to get situated, hand baby to mom, and cuddle with mom when she feeds the baby. Dads can cuddle and bond with baby when mom is resting. Dads can be involved in the care of the baby by changing diapers, bathing, even driving mom and baby to their appointments.
Grandmothers can support breastfeeding by taking care of the mom so she can take care of her baby. Praise her and encourage her decision to breastfeed her baby. Other ways to help is by cooking, cleaning, running errands for her and also by helping to care for her other children.
Friends and family can also help by not overwhelming new mother with their own experiences, but being available to assist the other needs of the new family. Every baby is different. Physicians can support a breastfeeding mother by providing evidence based and up-to-date information and by providing breastfeeding resources needed.
Community can help a breastfeeding mother by respecting her decision to provide the best for her baby and supporting with a simple gesture such as a smile or an encouraging word!