How can husband help during breastfeeding

Breastfeeding: How your husband can help | Don't forget your support system

Breastfeeding: How your husband can help | Don't forget your support system

0-6 Months
Article
Sep 10, 2024
3 mins

An action plan for your family and friends

Choosing to breastfeed is one of the most important decisions you can make regarding your baby's health. It's a commitment that starts when your baby is born and can, ideally, continue for six months or more.

Studies have found that women are more likely to start and continue breastfeeding if they receive positive encouragement from the people around them. You may need a “support team.” It can include anyone who’s close to you: your partner, family, friends, and your health care provider.  

Many people in your life may want to support you during this exciting time, but not know the best way to help. Letting them know what you need (and when!) can help them to help you.

Here are some tips to help rally your support team. Because every support team is unique, feel free to come up with some special ideas of your own. 

  • Learn together: Encourage the people on your support team to become informed about breastfeeding. The more they know, the more you can discuss the process together.
  • Talk to each other: Communication is key. Talk about how you’re feeling, and let the people around you know how they can help out. While the actual act of breastfeeding may happen just between you and your baby, your overall breastfeeding experience will be a more positive one if you are willing to let others help you.
  • Support each other: Kindness, patience, and encouragement will go a long way no matter who is on your support team. You and the people around you should be proud of your decision to breastfeed. So remember to be a support for each other and to back each other up when talking to people about your decision to breastfeed.  Support can also mean helping you stay healthy. Your partner can help you eat right and stay hydrated, as this will help your milk production.
  • Get help with chores: Don’t be afraid to ask your partner or people on your support team to help out with household chores, running errands, or preparing healthy meals so you can feed the baby or rest. 
  • If you have a partner, ask him or her to join you when you breastfeed: Breastfeeding can be a calm and relaxing time for you, your partner, and your baby to just be together and bond. There are lots of ways your partner can help out, even though you are the one doing the actual feeding.

For example, when you and your baby are still learning how to breastfeed your partner can help you to read your baby’s hunger and fullness cues. He or she could also change the baby’s diaper before night-time feedings.

And because it is so important to stay hydrated when you’re breastfeeding, your partner can take on the job of bringing you a glass of water to drink while your baby is nursing.

  • Nurture the baby: While babies get nutritional nourishment from your breastfeeding, emotional nourishment is important for your baby, too. Partners can cuddle, hug, play, and spend as much time as possible nourishing your baby’s development.
  • Finally, remember that your “partner” can be any trusted, reliable friend or family member who is eager to support your desire to breastfeed your baby for as long as possible.

Related articles

View details Baby Feeding and Nutrition: The Guide
Article
Breastfeeding

Baby Feeding and Nutrition: The Guide

How will you feed your newborn?

7 mins to read

View details Your baby proofing action plan
Article
baby proofing

Your baby proofing action plan

Even though they won’t be mobile at first, it’s a good idea to baby proof your house before the big arrival.

2 mins to read

View details How to emotionally prepare for parenthood before becoming a mom
Article
How to emotionally prepare for parenthood before becoming a mom

How to emotionally prepare for parenthood before becoming a mom

Amazing news! You’re expecting your first baby. But what can you do to emotionally prepare for parenthood?

3 mins to read

View details Introducing baby’s first foods? Be prepared with this handy kit
Article
baby’s first foods

Introducing baby’s first foods? Be prepared with this handy kit

Now the adventure really starts!

3 mins to read

View details How to soothe a colicky baby
Article
How to soothe a colicky baby

How to soothe a colicky baby

Healthy babies cry. It helps them to express their needs and some babies cry more than others.

3 mins to read

View details What to ask at my first well-child visit?
Article
Bath time checklist: How to bathe a newborn

What to ask at my first well-child visit?

Your first well-child visit will be carried out soon after birth to ensure baby’s development is on track.

2 mins to read

View details 10 money-saving tips for having a baby on a budget
Article
baby on a budget

10 money-saving tips for having a baby on a budget

Working out how much to save for a baby can be a daunting task.

4 mins to read

View details How to get Baby to Sleep & Fight Fatigue
Article
baby sleep time

How to get Baby to Sleep & Fight Fatigue

Getting enough sleep during the first months of your baby's life means adjusting to your own new sleep habits and those of your baby.

3 mins to read

View details How to start complementary feeding
Article
complementary feeding

How to start complementary feeding

Starting complementary feeding is an exciting time. Here are our top tips on how and when to start baby food from our resident dietitian.

4 mins to read

View details How to be a confident parent: start today with six easy steps
Article
How to be a confident parent: start today with six easy steps

How to be a confident parent: start today with six easy steps

Becoming a new parent and bringing your newborn home, can be a daunting experience to navigate.

3 mins to read

View details Understanding why babies cry
Article
why babies cry

Understanding why babies cry

Wondering why babies cry? If you’re struggling to understand what your baby is trying to tell you, check this list for possible clues to help.

2 mins to read

View details Disposable-diaper-changing routine
Article
diaper-changing routine

Disposable-diaper-changing routine

You’re going to do a lot of diaper changing over the next few months and years, so here’s a helpful diaper changing routine.

2 mins to read

View details Lonely mom? 10 things to do with baby—that give something back to you
Article
baby activities play dates baby yoga

Lonely mom? 10 things to do with baby—that give something back to you

Even with a wealth of online parenting forums and a baby in your arms, it’s easy to feel isolated and lonely as a mom.

4 mins to read

View details Baby vaccine schedule
Article
Mother with child

Baby vaccine schedule

Early childhood immunizations are an important safeguard against serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses for your baby.

4 mins to read

View details Baby immunizations—a parent’s guide
Article
Baby immunizations

Baby immunizations—a parent’s guide

Immunization time—gulp! Your baby’s first injections can be upsetting parents and babies. If you are anxious, your baby may pick up on your feelings so try to stay calm.

3 mins to read

View details Fed up with mom guilt? Here’s how to banish unhelpful thoughts
Article
Fed up with mom guilt? Here’s how to banish unhelpful thoughts

Fed up with mom guilt? Here’s how to banish unhelpful thoughts

Tired of battling mom guilt? It’s entirely normal, but pretty unhelpful if you’re navigating many other new mom emotions.

2 mins to read

View details Coping with baby blues
Article
Coping with baby blues

Coping with baby blues

Many moms experience feeling of postpartum blues – sometimes called the “baby blues” soon after their little one arrives.

3 mins to read

View details Bottle-feeding tips
Article
Bottle-feeding tips

Bottle-feeding tips

Bottle-feeding might look easy but there’s a fair bit to swallow.  So here’s a list of bottle-feeding tips, covering bottle-feeding positions, setting a bottle-feeding routine, and more.

2 mins to read

View details First-time dad tips—how to be a hands-on dad
Article
First time dad tips how to be a hands on dad

First-time dad tips—how to be a hands-on dad

Wondering how dads can help with newborns?

6 mins to read

Join



<!-- THEME DEBUG -->
<!-- THEME HOOK: 'field' -->
<!-- FILE NAME SUGGESTIONS:
   * field--block-content--field-title--mvp-block.html.twig
   * field--block-content--field-title.html.twig
   * field--block-content--mvp-block.html.twig
   * field--field-title.html.twig
   * field--string.html.twig
   x field.html.twig
-->
<!-- BEGIN OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/consumer/templates/field/field.html.twig' -->
  Join

<!-- END OUTPUT from 'themes/custom/consumer/templates/field/field.html.twig' -->

Your parenting instincts, our support

Super-sized Savings

SIGN UP & GET A CHANCE TO WIN

Sign up for Nestlé Baby & me and automatically be entered for a chance to win a $100* gift card!

For full details, please visit the Terms & Conditions.

EMAILS & SUPPORT

PERSONALIZED EMAILS & SUPPORT

Receive customized emails with useful info, special offers, & more to help guide you through each parenting phase.

Helpful Resources

HELPFUL TOOLS & RESOURCES

Get access to our helpful and interactive parenting tools & resources in one convenient hub.

EXPERT GUIDANCE

We offer science-based advice & specialized nutritional guidance for every stage of the parenting journey—from preconception to toddlerhood.