Support through presence
In those early days, when I got frustrated with manually expressing milk, my husband would sit down next to me and offer to help. One evening, just days after I gave birth, he helped me express and for some reason, he accidentally dropped the plug of the syringe and the milk just went on the ground. I was speechless. I wanted to cry but I didn’t want him to feel blamed. Then he started crying and saying, “I am sorry Honey. We worked hard for that milk.” We found ourselves both crying, maybe both thinking, why did no one ever tell us how hard it is to feed a newborn?
He would be there reminding me of the consultant’s advice every time frustration decided to come for a visit again.
He would sometimes help me position our son for feeding. And he would sit down across from me in NICU while I was breastfeeding, looking proud.
Key Point: Just simply be there. It’s always nice to know and feel that we are not doing things alone and this brand-new life ahead of us is easy to come to terms with with someone next to us.
Support through learning together
My husband and I attended an antenatal class together. And we learned that breastfeeding works together with the mother’s hormones. If hormones are not present from the start for some reason, milk supply will be a challenge. We also both learned that to produce milk, mothers need to be in good health. Eating well. Drinking water a lot. Having plenty of good rest. My husband, from the beginning of our feeding journey, made sure that I was eating well.
He would offer and remind me to drink plenty of water and he would tell me off when I chose to be busy with my phone rather than taking a rest when I got a chance.
He was also there, listening and taking interest when the lactation consultant sat down with me to discuss breastfeeding.
Key Point: Knowing about breastfeeding is also important for fathers. This information can help them take care of their wives. It’s simple: a healthy mama = a healthy baby!
I, personally, would have been lost in frustration (and maybe have given up from the start) if not for my husband’s support in breastfeeding. You fathers-to-be or already-dads can be our number one cheerleaders! Bring out your colourful pompoms daddies!
Francoise Voldoire and her husband moved to New Zealand in 2015 and now call Christchurch home. She is a theatre nurse by profession and an adventurer for life! She believes in the beauty of writing and photography as it holds memories. She finds her happiness in travelling, food and the great outdoors. After giving birth to her firstborn, she found her new simple pleasure of being a mother. You can follow her on Instagram.
