Top 20 tips for Dads

1. Fetch a feeding cushion and help her position your new baby correctly. In the early days this is really helpful.
2. Make sure she is comfortable. Pass her the remote, telephone or cup of tea. Bring her drinks and snacks. See she has a glass of water at least to hand as breastfeeding can be thirsty work.
3. Picking up your baby in the night and bringing it over to her for a feed is a small kindness. Offering to wind or settle the baby down afterwards will also be appreciated, her rest is important as she also has the day ahead to cope with.
4. Support her choices with midwives and health visitors and make sure you know her own mind. Encourage her to stick with her choice to breastfeed if things are getting tough, she’ll thank you in the end if giving up is something you knew she would regret.
5. Do the bath routine with your baby and get them ready for bed. It’s great bonding time for dads.
6. Carry your baby in a sling and let them have as much skin-to-skin contact with you too.
7. Compliment her on how well she is doing and how proud you are of her. Field any negative comments that are made about breastfeeding and respond appropriately.
8. Tell her she looks nice even when she is feeling awful.
9. Do some household chores without being asked.
10. Give her a chance to have a lie-in or take the baby out for a walk so she can rest.
11. Cook a nice healthy, nutritious meal or leave her something tasty prepared in the fridge that she can microwave for her lunch time.
12. Ask if she would like you to cut up her dinner for her. Babies seem to have the instinct to feed just when it’s your meal time too. She’ll appreciate being able to feed herself with her one free hand.
13. Change nappies and pack the baby bag for outings.
14. Do the shopping. It’s much quicker for you to do it than for her to have to take the baby with her.
15. Keep older children entertained and busy so that she can feed in peace without being pestered by jealous siblings.
16. Get rid of unwanted guests in the house at feeding times. Think about the tables you choose in cafes, and make sure she can breastfeed discreetly if she is uncomfortable doing so in public.
17. For long journeys, plan breastfeeding stops built in.
18. If she gives you a bottle of expressed milk then let her have the bit of well-deserved baby-free time to herself. A 20mins break might make the world of difference to her.
19. Make sure she has lots of chocolate available. Buy flowers and run a nice bath for her when she looks tired.
20. Don’t pester to get your sex life back on track.

Written by Jessica Miln on behalf of Real Baby Milk CIC