Breastfeeding can be a wonderful bonding experience for mother and child, as well as one of the best ways to get your baby all the right nutrition it needs to help stay healthy and boost its immune system. However, breastfeeding isn’t always straightforward. It might take some time for your baby to take to it or drink enough breastmilk each feed. You might struggle to produce enough breastmilk or find it very painful or exhausting. Struggling to do this can be very stressful and upsetting for a lot of mothers, which is why it’s so important to make sure that moms have the right support in place when they are going through this. If your partner is trying to breastfeed at the moment, here are some ways you can support them at home.
Reassure Her
A good place to start if you want to support a breastfeeding mother is by offering her reassurance. If she is having difficulty with it, this can be very frustrating, and she might even be concerned over the well-being of her child as a result. Sit down with her and reassure her that she is doing a great job and that these things take time. Also, let her know that if she is finding breastfeeding too hard, it’s perfectly OK to stop and use formula instead. While this might not be the preferred method of feeding for a lot of parents, your child will still get all the nutrients it needs and be healthy. Sometimes this is simply better for mother and child if there are difficulties with breastfeeding that are causing significant distress.
Get Out of the House Together
Being a new parent is hard work, and there might be times when the idea of leaving the house is too much. However, it is important to get out into the fresh air, socialize with friends, and enjoy a nice meal or a catch-up over a coffee. Some new mothers might feel self-conscious about breastfeeding in public, but this is one of the most natural things in the world. Purchasing nursing bras and slings might help a new mother feel more comfortable breastfeeding in public as they can make this process easier. If they want some privacy but there isn’t a bathroom or suitable space to use, take out a muslin cloth to shield mother and baby, or use your body to help create more privacy by standing in front of them if you can.
Take Over the Cooking
Parents need to work together to get the balance right, especially when there is a new baby. However, breastfeeding mothers will likely have a lot less energy, as it can be an exhausting job. As it is them who will need to take care of the majority of the feeds for the baby, you should be the one to step up and prepare dinner for the adults. Eating nutritious meals that are packed with energizing vitamins and minerals will be what a breastfeeding mother needs, so try to make as many healthy dinners as possible to give you both a boost.
Do the Housework
Another task that you might usually split with your partner is household chores. Again, a new mother who is breastfeeding won’t necessarily have a lot of time or energy to do these jobs. This is why it can be a great way to support your partner by keeping on top of household chores as well as cooking. Furthermore, living in a tidy environment can help you both feel more relaxed and happier in your living space and create a safe home for your new baby.
Speak to Your Midwife
There might be situations that concern you and your partner that you can’t figure out together. This is why you have the support of a midwife after your child’s birth, and assistance with breastfeeding is a very common thing that new parents ask for. If a new mother is having difficulty getting her child to breastfeed, your midwife should be able to give you tips and tricks to make this process easier. They can also offer advice if you are feeling overwhelmed with other aspects of new parenthood.
Practice Good Self-care
It’s important to make sure both you and the breastfeeding mother in your life are practicing good self-care. While cooking nutritious meals is a good start, you should also be trying to get as much rest as possible, keep up with your grooming, and even take time out for yourself when you can. Offer to take the baby when they aren’t feeding so that their mother can take a break. If she is breastfeeding, use this time as your chance to take a quick break too, whether that’s having a shower or a short nap.
Keep the Other Kids in the House Entertained
If there are other kids in your household, they will still want some attention. They might even start demanding more of your attention if they are feeling jealous of the new baby and how much focus is on them. A breastfeeding mother often has her hands full, so if your other children are acting up, do what you want to keep them entertained and under control to reduce stress for their mom. If you have foster children at home and are worried that they might feel out of place due to the arrival of a new baby, ask for advice on how to reassure them from thefca.co.uk or a similar organization for foster care.
Get All the Necessary Accessories
Finally, investing in some great breastfeeding accessories that the mother can use is a must. Nursing bras and muslin cloths were mentioned previously, but breast pumps, nipple creams, breastfeeding pillows, and nursing nightdresses, and pajamas are all great tools to have for a mother who is breastfeeding. They can all help to make this process a little easier for her and provide some comfort.
Breastfeeding can be quite a challenging time for a lot of mothers, and it’s OK if it doesn’t work out, and they need to move to feed the baby from the bottle. However, while a mother is trying to breastfeed, she must get the right support from her loved ones, and the tips above are how you can do that.