This note for new dads with breastfeeding partners is everything
A dad has shared some thoughtful things new fathers with breastfeeding partners need to know, along with some helpful ways to support nursing mums, and well, now we want to hug him.
Have a read, and then ask your man to as well. It’s that good.
Dudes, listen up
The dad, Muhammed Nitoto, took to Facebook in honour of Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
“Last month was Breastfeeding Awareness Month. So I figured I’d drop some knowledge on my fellow dads and soon-to-be dads,” he writes, alongside a selfie of him and his tired wife breastfeeding.
“Here’s what it looks like for the first few weeks or months after your child is born. Yup if mom breastfeeds they pretty much are tucked like this and at times you’ll wonder ‘what is there for me to do?'” he types.
Thankfully Muhammed has some wise words of wisdom to share with dads on exactly what they can do.
1. Get up, too
Um, yes. Yes, it will.
2. Do a bottle feed, if she’ll let you
The next piece of advice is around giving a breastfeeding mum a break.
“Ask mom if she can pump and then pick one feeding that you will always do. Mom will take on almost everything and will burn herself out if you let her. At times you may have to force her to rest without worrying about the baby. This is an easy way to do that without a fight.”
The gift of a nap!
3. Respect the process
Muhammed is a dad who gets it.
“Don’t put a time limit on how long mom breastfeeds the baby,” he says. “It’s not just about feeding your child it’s about them bonding as well.”
Preach.
“I know everyone has a different length of time they will breastfeed and as a Dad, it’s hard to fully understand. Do not, I repeat DO NOT try and rush this process it’s not our place and it’s not safe.”
“You will open yourself up to a fight you can’t win,” he concludes, which makes us giggle that Muhammed may have learnt this one the hard way.
4. Your turn will come
Next he addresses something many dads feel.
“Be patient. I know as a dad the first few weeks we are equally excited and yet not as important yet. Your time will come faster than you know. Babies grow fast and the stronger and bigger they get the more Daddy Time will be coming your way.”
Yep, pretty soon that baby of yours will get daddy glue and will be stuck on you, too!
5. Take paternity leave!
“Paternity leave! If you have it TAKE IT. The early stages of a child’s life are not just for moms to enjoy,” he writes.
“I know as men making the money especially after having a baby but trust me. You can always make money but there are no instant replays in life. It doesn’t make you more of a man to not take the leave. It’s equally as important that you as a dad get to be a part of the early development of your child.”
Hear that dads? No instant replay.
Thank you, thank you Muhammed. All so true.
Need some more feeding advice? Our Parent School lactation experts can help. Click to find out more or book a one-on-one session.
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