Quantcast
Channel: The Boob Group » Breastfeeding Support
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 25

How to Support Other Breastfeeding Moms

0
0

How to Support Other Breastfeeding Moms, The Boob Group BlogNow that my son has been nursing for 13 months, it’s easy to forget those challenging early days – probably because I’m still sleep-deprived.

I’m of the age where my friends are having (and hopefully breastfeeding) babies, so I think of what I needed or wanted in those awkward first weeks. I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without support, so want to make it easier for them.

How can you support other breastfeeding moms? Here are some suggestions:

Give her resources before baby arrives

. I have a blog post bookmarked that I send to my friend’s partners about supporting a breastfeeding mom. I let her know that I struggled and she isn’t a failure if it’s hard for her, too. Avoiding scary stories, I mention some challenges I’ve heard of that I sure didn’t know about before I started breastfeeding. And I breastfeed in front of her and ask if she has any questions.

Send a breastfeeding care package

. Ideas for what to include: a water bottle with a straw, lactation cookies, a jar of steel cut oats, Mother’s Milk tea, coconut oil, nipple cream or lanolin, hydrogel pads, and snacks you can eat one-handed. Bonus points: Throw in a copy of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. If you’re local, stop by with a freezer meal, too!

A timely and tactful message

. These days my smart phone practically completes the phrase “lactation consultant” and knows that yes, I DO want to type “nipple,” but it didn’t always feel like a normal topic of conversation. After a friend gives birth, I send a Facebook message in a few days to check in and casually ask if she’s nursing. If so, how is it going? I’ll mention that I had a tough first week or two as an easy in, since most people just want to hear how blissed out you are on that new baby smell.

Invite her to a breastfeeding group

. Surrounded by other new, awkward breastfeeding moms I learned to nurse in public, compared nipple trauma, and shared stories in a safe space. We are lucky to have many wonderful groups here in San Diego, and La Leche League is a great resource all over the world. My one-year-old is a handful and we only go at the end, but I will still show up at group to make sure a friend with a newborn knows someone is on her team. If she can, encourage her to visit at the end of her pregnancy.

Smile and thank a mom for nursing in public

. With a cover or without, tell her she’s doing a good job. Offer to get her some water. If you’re able, buy her lunch or cup of coffee. Give more moms a reason to tell a story about their positive experience nursing in public! Virtual option: “Like” breastfeeding photos on Facebook.

What do you wish someone had done to support you while breastfeeding? Any more suggestions?

The post How to Support Other Breastfeeding Moms appeared first on The Boob Group.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 25

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images