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Breast Pump

Breastfeeding Tip: Rally Family Support

One of the most important things you will ever do to have a happy Mothering and breastfeeding experience is to get your husband and your Mom (and Mom-In-Law) on your side.

Make sure your husband understands why breastfeeding is so important to you. Relate facts in a casual way (leaving books or articles about breastfeeding in the bathroom works!) about the benefits of breastfeeding. Dads really appreciate the findings about how breastfed babies have higher IQs and the fact that breastfeeding saves money.

Studies show that the attitude of your baby's Father (as well as your own Mom) are one of the most important factors in breastfeeding success. If the going gets tough, it helps if these two are on your side!

It's also a good idea to make a list of things Dad can do with baby (other than feed her) so he doesn't feel left out in her care. Examples include:

Taking baby for a walk while Mom takes a nap or bath Massage baby Giving baby a bath "Slinging" (wearing baby in a soft cloth carrier) baby to sleep Reading stories Changing diapers and making it a special ritual with tickles, songs, etc- you can be in charge of "input", and him, "output"

Dads have been bonding with their babies without feeding them since the beginning of time. He doesn't need to give baby a bottle, possibly damaging the breastfeeding relationship, to bond with her.

If your Mom or Mother in Law will be helping you after the birth, be sure to communicate in a calm, non judgemental way that you feel strongly about your (and your partners!) choice to nurse the baby, and that while her help is greatly appreciated, you are in charge of feeding. It might help you make a list of things she can do to help... things like housework or caring for your older child(ren).

Sometimes your Mom or Mother in Law will feel bad about the choices she made with her own babies, and might discourage you. Trust that she only has your best interests at heart. She might want to spare you the "difficulty" that she experienced.

The best you can do if this is the situation you're in is to have a heart full of love and acceptance. Realize that she likely had little information or support for her mothering choices... or none at all. She did the best she could in the circumstances she was in. This will help you deal with her empathically.