Latching a baby to one’s breast isn’t as easy nor as picturesque as you see portrayed in all those pregnancy pamphlets, mother’s groups and almost everywhere you look. But that is no excuse for a dad not to play a part when it comes to breastfeeds.

Those mothers who breastfeed in public without flashing an entire crowd of unsuspecting people in the process make it look unfairly effortless! Heck, if I were to attempt something like attaching my baby to my boob in a public place, not only would I flash the entire mob but I’d most likely spray a few innocent passers-by as well as drop my tiny baby in the process!

Breastfeeding doesn’t always happen naturally – and this is coming from someone who has been doing it continuously for over a decade now.

It’s New To Everyone

From my experience, babies don’t actually fully understand how to feed when you first meet. It’s awkward because the second you’re introduced, part of the general greeting process is to latch them to one of your boobies. The only problem being neither of you have ever done that before – even if it’s not your first baby, each newbie reacts differently and will make that initial latch as unique as they are.

Your Partner Can Help With Breastfeeds Too!

If you’ve entered into the baby raising scene as a team with someone else, I think it’s vital to remember that they’re in this with you. You’re not alone. And guess what? They are capable of latching your baby to you just as much as you are!

Think about it this way – if the lactation consultants and midwives are able to attach your baby into your boob, whilst teaching you how to do it yourself – then why can’t your spouse?

Hubby Has Learned To Latch

I strongly believe that if I’m doing something vital to my health, like sleeping, then it’s my hubby’s responsibility to feed the baby and often that has meant latching our little one correctly without waking me – AND I LOVE IT!!!

Why should I be the only one breaking sleep just because I’ve chosen to breastfeed!?

Both parents should be capable of feeding their new little addition. Whether it’s breast or bottle, fed is always best. And if that means that a partner needs to learn how to unhook a nursing bra so that they can somehow manage to wrangle a small screaming starving little blessing to its mother’s breast, then so be it!

I Don’t Even Need To Be Awake

Realistically I don’t really need to even be awake to breastfeed. Either way, my body will naturally let down the milk the second the baby takes a big mouthful of breast and starts suckling regardless of whether I’m conscious or not. So why wake me for the process?

Admittedly it did take me a long time to realise this. In fact, we only learned it out of necessity eventually when I started missing out on so much sleep that finally when I did crash my hubby couldn’t actually wake me. I’d be completely passed out from the severe lack of sleep so the poor bloke had no choice but to learn quickly how to breastfeed.

Don’t wait until it’s too late!

My advice to my children will be not to wait until they reach that level of exhaustion. If they choose to breastfeed then make sure to include their spouse from day one to secure their sleep!

Whoever said that breastfeeding is exclusive to mother’s anyway?! It works perfectly as a shared responsibility… in my case especially, perhaps even better!

Hubby ‘breastfeeds’ better than I do!

I’d never confess this to my hubby and thankfully he doesn’t ever read anything I write, but that man latches a baby better than I do. I think it might have to do with angles and how he approaches the latch, either way if you can sleep through even 1 out of the 10+ feeds you’re going to do in a day, then why not!

Best of luck Mama’s, however you choose to feed!

Did/does/would your partner get involved with breastfeeds? Tell us in the comments below.