Family and Friends are Important
Congratulations to you—whether you are
a dad, partner, grandparent, relative,
or friend of a new breastfed baby.
Breastmilk is custom made for each baby
and provides benefits that last a lifetime.
Did you know that the way you interact
with the special nursing parent and baby
in your life will affect their breastfeeding
experience? Your role is important in helping
both of them succeed with breastfeeding!
No experience with breastfeeding is needed!
Nursing parent and baby will focus on learning
to breastfeed. Your role is to encourage and
help. You can love baby by doing things other
than feeding. The baby will learn to play and
talk by watching you and listening to you.
Why is breastfeeding important?
Most families today breastfeed. It is the
normal way to feed a baby and the way
babies are meant to be fed. Doctors agree
that babies’ only milk should be breastmilk.
- Breastmilk is the only baby milk that has
been proven to provide health benefits
for both nursing parent and baby.
- Those who breastfeed their babies
recover from giving birth sooner than
those who do not breastfeed.
- Breastfeeding saves families lots of
money (over $1500 per year).
- When babies are fed only breastmilk,
their diapers are much less smelly.
- Breastfeeding is kinder to our
world. There is less waste.
Ways family and friends can support
the nursing parent and baby
How to help with breastfeeding
It is very important that baby nurses from
their parent when feeding. This gives both
baby and parent the practice needed to
learn the skills it takes to breastfeed.
Babies need more than feeding! To help out and
enjoy time with the baby, perhaps you can:
- Bring baby to breastfeeding
parent at feeding time.
- Care for baby between feedings
so parent can rest.
- Bathe baby, dress baby, change baby’s diaper.
- Talk to or sing to baby.
- Care for other children so nursing
parent and baby can be alone.
- Hold and cuddle baby. Give lots
of love and attention.
- Help with household chores, such
as laundry and cooking.
If you are unable to be with this special family,
you might deliver a meal, groceries, or pick up
laundry and bring it back clean and folded.
How to help the breastfeeding parent relax
Breastfeeding is harder for someone who is not
relaxed. When the nursing parent feels calm,
it is easier for their body to release milk. The
baby gets more milk and is more content.
Ask if you can stay while baby is nursed.
That way you can try to help by:
- Rubbing the nursing parent’s shoulders.
- Bringing the nursing parent a healthy
beverage or filling their water cup.
- Offering a healthy snack.
- Turning on some soft music.
How to help when breastfeeding in public
Babies are fed all the time when away from
home. In fact, Maryland law states that people
have the right to breastfeed their babies
anywhere they have the right to be. Many
are happy nursing when out and about.
If the nursing parent asks for a
more private space, help by:
- Finding a place to sit that is away
from large crowds of people.
- Asking for a corner booth when
in a restaurant.
- Shielding parent and baby from
view of others.
- Finding the breastfeeding room,
if available, or a fitting room that
can be used for this purpose.
Bonding with baby
Babies need so much more than feeding! There are
many things you can do to bond with baby and be
a special person to them. Here are some ideas:
- Give Support—sit with the nursing parent
and talk to them while nursing.
- Listen—babies cry when they need
something. Respond by picking baby up
and cuddling. That teaches baby to love
and trust. Holding does not spoil a baby.
- Stay Close—feeding is only one thing
that a baby needs. Try cuddling, holding,
talking to, walking, or playing with baby.
- Be Patient—the early weeks are a time for
learning and getting to know the baby.
- Be caring and kind to parent and
baby. Soon things will get easier.
