Supporting a breastfeeding mother

Breastfeeding can be challenging, and it can be tiring. Support from fathers/partners, family and friends can really help.

There are many things you can do to support mothers to breastfeed.

Offer to help with the other children – read them a story or play with them.
Help around the house – do the dishes, or the grocery shopping. Hang out the washing, do some cleaning or make the school lunches.
If a mother is finding breastfeeding hard going, encourage her to keep it up. Breastfeeding may not be easy for every mother at first, but it’s worth persevering!
Reassure her that plenty of wet nappies is one of the signs that baby is getting enough milk.
Help baby’s mother get the rest she needs by spending time with the baby yourself. Fathers need to bond too! Why not have a bath or shower with baby, burp them after a feed, or cuddle and soothe them. And don’t forget to help with nappy changing!

Page last updated: 05 December 2011

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