For all families, a supportive husband, partner, co-parent, or family member can make a huge difference in breastfeeding outcomes. When a breastfeeding parent and child have support at home, many times they can more easily reach their nursing goals. This week, La Leche League USA celebrates all of the wonderful people in our lives who uphold the importance of breastfeeding and the nursing relationship.

A recent post on the La Leche League USA Facebook page asked parents to share all of the ways their partners have supported breastfeeding. We invite you to read the whole thread of responses. Here are some highlights:

Kate M. remembered both practical support and bonding activities as a family happening at the breast. She explained, “My husband read to us while nursing. He also used that time when she was nursing and calm to cut our daughter’s nails!”

Kelley T. had lots of great ideas. She offered that “any caretaking activity is bonding for a caregiver-infant dyad! Hold them for naps. Read them books. Lay on the floor with them for tummy time. Take walks outside with them. Sing them songs. Change their diapers. Change their clothes. Give them baths. Tell them about what you see out the window. Talk to them–tell them all about their wonderful, amazing, miraculous toes, or how the game of baseball works! Take an infant massage class. As a partner, you are also taking care of the baby when you take care of the breastfeeding parent! Feed them well. Fill their water. Talk to them while they breastfeed. Insist that they are excused from chores for a while because they are healing their body and feeding the baby. Partners can do anything! Just think of how to be loving and do that.”

Lorraine M. recalled all the helpful things her husband did while she nursed their children. “My hubby changed diapers whenever the baby woke up. That was a game changer! I got the time to go to the bathroom and drink some water. He also made me food, filled up my water, came on walks, and rocked and sang to our baby.”

That feeding the nursing dyad feeds the baby, is a common idea in the responses! Support persons can ensure that their partners are well fed and hydrated. Racheal O. said that her “partner feeds me so I can feed the baby. We are almost 14 months and going strong! In the early days, keeping me fed made a huge impact, especially during cluster feeding times.”

Truly, a strong support person can do so many things to help make breastfeeding easier. Marilyn P. related a great perspective about partner bonding: “Anything a father does to engage with his baby helps bond them. Breastfeeding is the only thing they can’t do, so the sky’s the limit!”

La Leche League has this official statement on the significance of a circle of support for the nursing parent:

Breastfeeding is enhanced by the loving support of the baby’s father, a co-parent, a partner, and/or close family members who value the breastfeeding relationship.

Fathers, co-parents, partners and/or close family members are usually the first circle of support for the breastfeeding dyad.(1) Support can consist of baby-care, mother-care, and advocacy for the breastfeeding relationship to family, friends and healthcare providers. Baby-care may include bathing, changing diapers, and soothing and/or playing with the baby. Mother-care may include ensuring the availability of healthful foods and beverages, handling household tasks, and encouraging the mother at times of stress and doubt. Advocacy may include providing encouragement and protection for the breastfeeding relationship by fending off unsolicited and unhelpful suggestions from those who may be well-meaning but uninformed. Relationships between the baby and the father, the co-parent, the mother’s partner, and/or close family members do not replace the breastfeeding relationship but complement it and can be an important element in the child’s development from early infancy.

(Feb. 1992, rev Mar. 2019, rev Oct. 2019)

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding, 2011.

Want to share how your partner supported you in breastfeeding? Write to us at [email protected]

Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always

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