At the beginning of my breastfeeding adventure, when there were some serious struggles, my partner had the opportunity to learn more about my breasts than I’m sure he ever cared to learn. So much good came of it, though, and he totally stepped up when and where I needed him to. In fact, I’d venture to say that there are things every grown-ass man can do when his partner is struggling with breastfeeding. I mean, his involvement was crucial, so much so that it had me thinking that perhaps I’ve been missing out by not discussing my breasts with more people in other stages of my life. Since I’ve been a breastfeeding mom, there’s so much to be said about them (not that there wasn’t before, but lactation just brings it to a whole new level).
Seriously though, a partner’s involvement with breastfeeding can be imperative to a new mom and whether or not she is successful, since the stakes can feel super-high right from the get-go. While juggling all the crazy responsibilities that come with a newborn, being unable to feed them smoothly can make the world feel like it’s crashing down (no, I’m not exaggerating, why do you ask?). Plus, feeding and sustaining another a baby shouldn't be just one person's responsibility, even if a mother decides and is able to breastfeed. There are so many things a grown-ass man can do when his partner is breastfeeding, to help her and their baby through their breastfeeding journey.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at how partners can help lighten a mom’s breastfeeding load when she's having trouble, shall we?