It Really Does “Take a Village to Raise a Child”
Anticipating a baby’s arrival comes with planning – baby registries, birth classes, or even decorating a nursery. No matter how much planning happens before delivery, life for a parent changes dramatically once baby enters the world! How can your family thrive after a baby is born? One way is to recognize that breast milk is the best first food for an infant. However, getting breast milk to a baby isn’t always easy, especially in the first 2 weeks of life as the birth parent is recovering from delivery too. It’s easy to think of breastfeeding being between a mom and a baby, but in truth it “takes a village” to support any baby, especially when breastfeeding. If you’re part of a baby’s village, here are ways you can help the baby get breast milk and thrive.
How to support breastfeeding as a partner:
- Do things without asking. Change the diaper. Get up when the baby is crying in the middle of the night to bring the baby to breastfeed. Bring water to mama; she is thirsty and making fluids for baby too!
- Use your extra hands to help position the baby for feeding at the breast. Bring pillows to place under the baby or mom’s arms for ideal positioning.
- Offer to bottle feed if using expressed breast milk and then wash those bottles and pump parts after.
- Be in charge of giving Vitamin D drops to your baby every day! They’re important and easy to forget.
How to support breastfeeding as a grandparent:
Having extra family members around with the birth of a new baby can be wonderful but can also be extra for birth parents to manage. Some ways that can always be of help:
- Entertain older siblings.
- Offer to take baby for a walk.
- Hold the sleeping baby (who doesn’t want to be put down) so parents can take a nap.
- Cook meals or bring food and do the dishes.
- Provide wisdom and experience when it’s asked for.
- Be supportive of baby feeding at the breast around other people.
- Don’t suggest formula just because it seems like “baby is eating all the time” in the first few days of life. If parents are breastfeeding the baby, have them follow up closely with their pediatrician and lactation support to see if formula supplementation is medically necessary.
How to support breastfeeding as a friend:
- Listen without judgement. Know that the postpartum period is exhausting and it’s great to have a trusted friend to lend an ear.
- Understand if the new parents don’t want to have visitors right away or need to change plans at the last minute.
- If stopping by for a visit, act like a partner or family member! Bring food, wash dishes, entertain those older siblings.
- If your older kids are friends, offer to host a playdate.
How to support breastfeeding as a coworker:
- Recognize returning to work after parental leave can be stressful · Help your coworker when needed so they can find time to express breast milk/pump. If they need to take time for this and don’t join at lunch or coffee breaks, be understanding.
- Offer them snacks, to fill their water bottles at the cooler.
- Ask to see baby photos – what new parent doesn’t love showing these? Looking at baby photos can help with pumping too.
Every August, we celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Month. We can all be breastfeeding allies by recognizing that families may look different, and breast milk feeding may not look the same for everyone either. Don’t hesitate to ask a breastfeeding parent how you can support them in their journey.
Resources for Parents
American Academy of Pediatrics
Featured Author
Dr. Lindsay Frost's biography reads: I joined the pediatrics team at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento in 2018 to help kids thrive. During my medical training, I pursued a Masters degree in public health and health promotion. I enjoy being able to foster long-term relationships with patients and their families, providing care in both health and illness as children grow. Some of my most relevant experiences as a pediatrician have come from my two children, who have “trained” me first-hand on the challenges of parenthood.
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