Sometimes coaches/partners can feel a little helpless when it comes to breastfeeding since only mom can actually provide breastmilk for her infant. But the truth is, mom’s ability to successfully breastfeed is oftentimes directly related to the support she receives from her partner.
Early Challenges Include…
- Exhaustion
- Discomfort/pain
- Hormone fluctuations
- Lack of confidence, enhanced vulnerability
- Breastfeeding learning curve (for mom & baby!)
Here are a few suggestions for the coach to help get breastfeeding off to the best start possible:
- Words of encouragement
- Bring baby to mom for feeds
- Provide pillows for support
- Provide hydration & snacks
- Prepare or arrange for meals, especially in the first few weeks
- Help with hand expression
- Hold baby to breast if mom is too exhausted to safely nurse
- Help mom with pumping as needed
- For those who choose to provide expressed milk, help feed baby by syringe, cup or paced bottle-feeding
- Help with burping, diaper changes, bathing, etc.
- Enjoy the oxytocin benefits of skin-to-skin time with your baby
REMEMBER: The early challenges with breastfeeding often work themselves out with timely support. After these initial hurdles, most families find breastfeeding to be convenient and timesaving. And in the long run, having healthier children will certainly be worth those early efforts.
For more Breastfeeding resources visit the Safe Journey Website or call McLaren Bay Regional’s outpatient Lactation clinic at 989-894-3935.
Guest Writer: Rebecca G. Morgan has been a Register Nurse at McLaren Bay Regional for 35 years. Her current position is Childbirth Educator/Coordinator and IBCLC (Lactation Consultant) for the Family BirthPlace. Becky is heavily involved in her community including the Bay-Arenac Great Start Collaborative and Bay Area Breastfeeding Coalition.
Other articles written by Rebecca:
MCLAREN BAY REGION RECEIVES BREASTFEEDING GRANT: Community Input Needed