5 Tips to Support a Breastfeeding Mother

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If you are a friend or family member of a breastfeeding mother, congratulations! You have been tasked with supporting her as she navigates this new and exciting time. Breastfeeding can be challenging for both mother and baby, so you must provide support and encouragement. Many women find that breastfeeding is a wonderful bonding experience with their baby. However, if negative comments or less-than-supportive family members surround the mother, it can set her up for failure. Here are five tips to support a breastfeeding mother.

 

1. Support Her Decision

 

The decision to breastfeed your baby is a personal one. That is why you must support the mother whether you breastfed or not. If she has decided to supplement with formula, do not tell her how she should be feeding her child. The choice is ultimately hers, and if she has decided to use a bottle with formula, bottle feeding is still breastfeeding. There are many reasons why a mother might supplement with formula, whether it’s for her health, family circumstances, or just because she needs a break from breastfeeding. A research study at the University of New Hampshire shows that a mother’s decision to breastfeed does not affect her baby’s later risk of obesity. Babies breastfed at six months were less likely to be obese by age nine.

 

2. Give Her Practical Advice

 

While breastfeeding is a natural process, there are some things that you can do to make it even more comfortable. Talk with her about her daily activities and how they might affect breastfeeding. If she is going to be away from her baby for 8 hours, maybe she should plan to pump at work. Give specific advice such as “it’s a good idea to pump your breasts before you go to bed if you don’t want supply issues while you sleep. If your breasts are full, the letdown reflex is activated during feeding, and the milk flows more easily. A simple reminder such as this can make a huge difference in her breastfeeding success.

 

3. Encourage Her to Breastfeed in Front of You

 

There are some women who do not feel comfortable breastfeeding in front of others. If you know that the mother is open to it, encourage her to breastfeed wherever she feels comfortable. If she’s breastfeeding in front of you in the store, then make a point of holding your child, so she can have a break from feeding. If you’re at the doctor’s office, offer to hold your baby or to nurse in private for a few minutes. Several studies have found that women who are more comfortable breastfeeding in public were more likely to continue breastfeeding.

 

4. Assist With Feedings

 

If she is too tired from a long day of work or taking care of an infant, offer to help feed her baby. If she can’t remember how much milk to give baby at night, help her by giving the extra ounces. Some women find that breastfeeding can be demanding and overwhelming. You can help by holding the baby for a few minutes while she nurses or holding him in your lap while she feeds. Provide another set of hands to help hold the baby’s feet if he is kicking while she nurses.

 

5. Buy them Gifts to Help with Breastfeeding

 

A lot of breastfeeding mothers struggle with engorgement or a low milk supply. She may need to use a breast pump at work or home, or she may need to take herbal supplements to increase her milk supply. Depending on what else is going on with the mother and baby, you can buy them something to help them along the way. If you would like to show how much you appreciate her, get her breast milk jewelry. She can wear it while she pumps to remind her that she is working hard to provide for her baby.

 

These are just a few easy ways to support and encourage a breastfeeding mother. Every woman deserves encouragement and supports whether she is breastfeeding or not. If you know someone breastfeeding, your words of encouragement can make all the difference. When the mother isn’t receiving support from the entire family, it can make her feel isolated and discouraged.

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