Providing Human Milk: It Takes a Village

عربي | नेपाली | Soomaali

Providing human milk can be challenging, especially in the early weeks. Whether you are breastfeeding, chestfeeding, or pumping milk to feed your baby in a bottle it is important to have people who support you in your decision. Evidence shows that support people play a significant role in breastfeeding success. In fact, according to research, mothers with partners who prefer breastfeeding are less likely to stop breastfeeding. Current studies show that baby’s dad and Mom’s mom are the two most influential people in helping support new lactating parents, especially in the African American population.

The new parent’s primary support person can be a partner, a relative, or a friend. This person will help to be additional eyes and ears while the parent and baby are learning to feed. The support person helps to provide new parents with the confidence, encouragement and reassurance they need to continue providing human milk, especially when they are tired and frustrated with learning a new skill. With more confidence and encouragement comes more success. A teamwork approach is essential! 

Ways to support a parent who is providing milk:

• A positive attitude toward human milk and their efforts
• Being respectful of a parent’s decisions
• Offering encouragement and a listening ear without judgement
• Bring snacks
• Hold the baby while parent showers or takes a nap
• Change the diaper if baby is sleepy when feeding
• Learn what a good latch looks like and watch the baby feed – be a second set of eyes
• Keep the parent company when they are feeding or keep other children entertained so the new baby and parent can feed without distractions
• Help the parent with positioning the baby or shifting pillows to get comfortable while feeding
• Help wash pumping parts/bottles or labeling/storing their milk

Being an active listener during prenatal visits and actively participating in discussions with healthcare providers regarding an infant's feeding goals are also helpful. Attending pediatrician and lactation consultant appointments can also be very helpful. Information about the benefits of human milk, how to help with breastfeeding/chestfeeding problems and positioning techniques are important for the support person to learn as well. They can help parents remember the details and provide reassurance based on what they have learned.

At Nationwide Children’s Hospital we believe it is important to involve the entire family in this very special journey. We teach the support person how to assist parents with providing their baby with their milk. This process will look different for different families and babies. Every family’s journey is unique, but nobody’s journey should be alone.