How dads can support breastfeeding

When we think about breastfeeding, we often focus on the mother and baby. But the people around the mother-infant pair – including the father – have a huge role to play in whether a mother breastfeeds successfully, or initiates it at all.

In fact, research has found that when partners (like dads) were more supportive of breastfeeding, the mothers were more likely to both start breastfeeding – and to continue it for longer.

If you want to support your partner with breastfeeding, here are some tips.

Understand why breastfeeding matters…

One of the best ways dads can support breastfeeding is to understand how important it is.

The scientific and medical consensus are clear: Breastmilk offers the babies the best start to life. Among other benefits, it reduces the risk of deadly diseases, including cancer, in both babies and breastfeeding mothers. It provides an immunity 'boost' that protects infants from infections. It even leads to better IQ and educational outcomes in children.

It may even make the postpartum period a little smoother – such as by reducing the risk of postpartum depression.

When those around the mother and baby know this, they are more likely to offer the support, encouragement and advice that is most useful.

…and the basics of how to do it

Understanding why breastfeeding matters is only part of the equation. For dads to be fully supportive partners, they also must understand some breastfeeding basics.

For example, a mother feeding responsively – according to a baby's hunger cues – leads to more successful breastfeeding than if she feeds according to a schedule. If people around the mother and baby understand this, including a father or partner, they are less likely to make suggestions (like feeding by a clock, or cutting night feeds) that could unintentionally harm the breastfeeding relationship. 

Breastfeeding basics to understand include:

• Why feeding responsively (not according to a clock) is so important
• Why babies should be fed whenever they are hungry, day and night (and why cutting night feeds can put breastfeeding at risk)
• How to tell if a baby has gotten enough breastmilk

Provide encouragement…

Breastfeeding can be hard. Many breastfeeding mothers need encouragement to keep going! And a father offering those words of encouragement can make a big difference. Research has found that when partners encouraged the mothers – as well as acknowledged how much effort the women put into breastfeeding, and provided them with emotional support – the mothers breastfed for a longer period.

…and advocate for the mother's breastfeeding relationship

It is common for other family members, friends, even strangers to make comments that can be unsupportive, or even undermine the breastfeeding relationship. A mother might hear that she should put her baby on a schedule, for example, or that she shouldn't breastfeed in public. Sometimes, even health professionals can say or do things that might undermine a breastfeeding journey, such as suggesting giving an infant formula after delivery.

In these instances, mothers have noted that it can be game-changing for their partners to speak up and advocate on their behalf – making it clear that, no, the mother wants to breastfeed and not to use formula, for example.

Anticipate what the mother might need…

The same study found that when fathers provided support proactively – rather than waiting to be asked – the mothers also breastfed for longer.

This could be noticing when the mother is starting a feed and bringing her water and a snack. It could be getting the baby as soon as she wakes up and bringing her to the mother for a feed. It could even be helping to remember what a midwife or lactation consultant said about positioning and attachment, and helping the mother and baby get into the right position. (Here are some basic breastfeeding positions to know about).

…and take over more of the other tasks around the house

It can be overwhelming for mothers to be responsible for feeding and caring for a baby, as well as for keeping a house tidy, grocery shopping, cooking meals and looking after other children. Taking those tasks off a mother's plate as much as possible can be crucial in helping her focus on responding to, and feeding, the baby.

For fathers or partners who work, this might mean taking off as much time off as they can when a baby is born. It can also mean arranging for other help or childcare, whenever that is an option, when fathers themselves are at work.

At UNICEF, we know that breastfeeding can be challenging. And we believe that, with support, breastfeeding can be possible. This is why we advocate for governments, societies and systems to provide more support so that women who want to breastfeed to be able to breastfeed – for example, by increasing investment in programs that support breastfeeding, implementing policies such as paid maternity leave and breastfeeding breaks, and offering breastfeeding counselling as part of routine health coverage.