Newborns seem like they are attached to their feeding source for the first few months, leaving mom to be up at all hours to attend to their new little bundle of joy.
With breastfeeding, dads can feel lost regarding their place in the family, and how they can play a supportive role.
A viral Facebook post show that not all dads share in this struggle, as one man gives tips for supporting a breastfeeding mom that even the pros can’t ignore.
While some dads need guidance on fitting into their new position, some, like Muhammed Nitoto, slide right into the supportive dad effortlessly.
Nitoto went right into proactive mode when he saw that mom was often down for the count trying to give what babies need most- liquid gold, otherwise known as breastmilk!
Popsugar recommends that the priceless comments “be required reading for all new dads.” And that wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Dads may feel it is their time to “tap out” when their wife is breastfeeding the baby, but that’s just not the case.
Breastfeeding requires a tremendous amount of energy, all while leaving you nearly pinned to one location.
These are the times where mom can need support more than ever.
Have you ever needed a drink more than anything in the world while breastfeeding, and would have paid a million dollars just to have someone bring you a nice, large glass of ice-cold water?
Or, have you just needed to scratch an itch, get a snack, or a million other things you haven’t been able to do for the last month straight while breastfeeding a baby hours a day?
Don’t get me wrong, most moms wouldn’t trade the beautiful gift of breastfeeding for anything, but a little help while we complete this miraculous task would be nice.
Nitoto shared a beautiful photo in his viral Facebook post of mom breastfeeding baby while sleeping next to him. Underneath the caption read:
“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?'”
Instead of just leaving his situation a conundrum, Nitoto posted on Facebook 5 things that a dad can do to be helpful during times mom is breastfeeding, and the whole breastfeeding community thanks him.
His recommendations are as follows:
“1. When mom wakes up in the middle of the night, you get up and ask if she needs any help or water. The truth is most of the time she will say no but just the fact that you offered will go far.
2. 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.
3. Don’t put a time limit on how long mom breastfeeds the baby. It’s not just about feeding your child, it’s about them bonding as well. 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.
4. Be patient. I know as a dad the first few weeks we are equally excited and not as important yet. Your time will come faster than you know. Babies grow fast and the stronger bigger they get the more daddy time will be coming your way.
5. Take paternity leave! If you have it, TAKE IT. The early stages of a child’s life are not just for moms to enjoy. 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.”
These tips are not only helpful to the mom of the newborn, but can be life-saving for the dad as well.
Fathers are susceptible to postpartum depression too. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 10% of men worldwide show signs of depression from the first trimester of their wife’s pregnancy through six months after the baby is born.
Shockingly, during months 3-6 of the baby’s life 26% of men showed signs of depression.
“That’s more than twice the rate of depression we usually see in men,” says James F. Paulson, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Old Dominion University, in Norfolk, Virginia, according to Parents.
Not only does having a guide on how to be involved as a dad help give him purpose in his role, but it also can be just the thing mom needed to stay on a healthy track of feeding for the baby.
Research shows that having a supportive partner to encourage you while you go on the breastfeeding journey makes you more successful, reports Very Well Family.
Hopefully, Nitoto has encouraged a dad or two (or a thousand!) to be supportive while a mom is breastfeeding, and that he has given new dads the confidence they needed to embrace their new role with zeal.
Having both parents by baby’s side while they go through each developmental stage (entirely too quickly) is giving your baby more than you could possibly think.
Please let us know in the comments section if you have a supportive spouse while you breastfeed your baby, and what that looks like for you.
