Breastfeeding Article:

Men Only: Guide to Breastfeeding

by: Warwick Shanks

There is a wealth of breastfeeding information available for women. For men on the other hand, there is a lot less guidance, and many have little idea about the process. Indeed many dads prefer to head into the next room or turn a blind eye whenever they see their partners feeding their child.

What many people don't know (particularly dads) is that studies have proven that women are far more likely to breastfeed if the dad is supportive of them. So it is of vital importance that dads understand the emotional and physical aspects of breastfeedingso that they can support their partner with understanding and encouragement.

To get dads started on their wonderful journey towards understanding and supporting breastfeeding there are three key areas about their role in the process. These are:

1. Ways in which they can assist their partners throughout breastfeeding;
2. Understanding the benefits of breastfeeding; and
3. How dads can bond with their child.

Ways to assist
The more men understand about breastfeeding, the more they can involve themselves and help their partners. There are two kinds of support - emotional and physical support.

Emotional support involves understanding the breastfeeding process, helping partners through difficult times and offering support throughout all their decisions regarding breastfeeding. Physical support involves making an appropriate environment for breastfeeding. For example, men should set up a regular feeding location for their partners, like a nice comfortable chair in front of a window or TV in a room with a nice temperature. And bringing her something to eat or drink while she's doing so is not only a thoughtful expression of support, but also helps her to relax, aiding physical aspects of breastfeeding such as the let-down reflex. A dad should also manage visitors who might turn up, as it is often easier for him to say no to potential guests who might sometimes encroach on a mother's much needed space.

Benefits
There are a huge range of proven benefits that are derived from breastfeeding. If dads understand the importance of these benefits they are far more likely to give their support, which makes the process far more likely to occur.

Breastfeeding benefits the mother, child and father, and also society and the environment. For example, breast milk changes throughout the baby's life to suit its nutritional needs at the time, and the milk produced in the first few days provides the baby with essential antibodies to boost its resistance. What's more, it ensures the baby will have better health later in life. There are also a range of health benefits for the mother, such as a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis, and there are time and cost savings for both parents. Breastfeeding also has less environmental impact than any other method of feeding, as other non-natural methods require packaging, sterilisation chemicals, fuel and energy in their production. In addition, the health benefits the mother and child receive from breastfeeding ensure fewer burdens on society by minimizing future hospitalization and health care.

Bonding with your child
Finally, it is important for the dad to find time to bond with the baby. One way to do this is through skin to skin contact which allows the baby to snuggle in close, letting it get used to dad's feel and smell, and to hear his heartbeat. For example, having a bath or shower with the baby, or giving them a long cuddle after a feed or nappy change.

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