As doulas, we’re naturally a little obsessed with pregnancy, and early parenthood. This sometimes means that we end up being the go to advisors for our friends when one of their friends becomes pregnant.
Or, we hear venting sessions from friends, family and clients when the people in their lives think that they’re helping, but aren’t.
Feeding the baby is one of the main things that brings up questions and leads to venting sessions.
The good news is that anyone can support breastfeeding.
You can support breastfeeding if you formula fed all of your kids and they turned out just fine. Even if seeing areola in public startles you a bit, you can support babies eating.
All you have to do is follow a few key steps, and you’ll be amazing at it. So in honor of World Breastfeeding Week, we want to share some advice.
How can you support breastfeeding, without having to become an expert?
1. Don’t make breastfeeding weird.
This comes first because it’s amazing how controversial breastfeeding can be. Breastfeeding is not sexual. It won’t make a woman’s boobs sag any more than weight gain and loss in pregnancy will. It’s not a judgment on anyone who formula feeds. And it’s not particularly private or intimate. If you visit the home of a breastfed baby, you might see breastfeeding.
Just chill. Nearly everyone has nipples. This doesn’t have to be a big deal. And if you want to support breastfeeding families- which just means supporting babies being fed- the easiest way to do that is to make it normal.
2. Follow the breastfeeding parents’ lead.
There’s more than one way to get this done.
Some new mothers will take to breastfeeding quickly, and will be out and about in the world in no time, with a baby on their boob. Others are never really going to enjoy breastfeeding in public.
Some will plan to pump and feed breastmilk so that you can give the baby a bottle. Other babies will be at the breast to nurse every single time.
Parents may or may not introduce formula. And they’ll decide when it’s time to introduce solids.
Families thrive when we trust them to take care of their infants. Support improves breastfeeding success.
3. Bring snacks!
You might think that the baby is eating constantly. You might even be right. So imagine how hungry someone having to make all that food is. If you’re visiting someone recovering from birth, and you’re not sure what to do?
Bring snacks! And if you really want to support breastfeeding, don’t encourage anyone to worry about losing baby weight. Trust us, they’re already thinking of it.
Be the best friend with snacks. And water. Snacks and water will make you a winner.
4. You don’t have to give advice.
Expectant parents get a LOT of information on breastfeeding. And it doesn’t stop when the baby arrives. Assume that they’re experiencing some information overload, and instead of adding advice, ask questions.
Not to knock your wealth of information, but between the lactation specialists, support group leaders, nurses, pediatricians, and doulas giving them instructions, it can be a lot to handle.
Sometimes to support breastfeeding, family members and friends don’t need to tell anyone what to do.
Instead, they just need to accept what’s already happening.
We’ve found that these steps are simple and effective every time. In many ways, this is exactly what doulas do. We make things normal, we listen more than we advise, and we bring snacks!
Breastfeeding families, do you have any more to add? Tell us in the comments!
Learn more about our postpartum support here!
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