Why Breastfeeding is Good for Dads

As has become our tradition, here is the guest post from the Hubby. He is my biggest supporter, and a real breastfeeding advocate, always ready to spring to the defence of any woman given grief over breastfeeding. It can often be useful to have a dad's perspective, so this year he is writing about why having mum breastfeed the baby is a great choice for dads. 

You can find his previous Scavenger Hunt posts here: 

How Dads Can Support Breastfeeding 

Top Breastfeeding Tips for Dads
 

Hi all!

It's dad of two girls and husband to an amazing, breastfeeding lady, here.

This year my topic is benefits for dads during breastfeeding.

"How?" I maybe hear you say. How can there be benefits to dads during the mother breastfeeding the baby?

But there are!

Not all selfish benefits, like getting time to watch the rugby, but useful benefits in the new role as a dad.

So here we go, what are the benefits? Why IS breastfeeding good for dads?

Time to get brownie points by doing all those new jobs you have to do

Shopping, cleaning, hoovering, taking out the rubbish, a back rub? Even DIY?

When mum is feeding the baby, it may be a good idea for the dad to get up and do things.

No bloke likes to be sitting down being lazy (right, guys?). And just think of how happy you'll make your lady!

If mum is feeding your second baby, then you can.........

Play with the other kids

It's always a hard time for the eldest kid when another one comes along and gets lots of attention.

More time for selfies!

Spend feeding time playing with the other kid(s), or even, clean/hoover/put away things, together! This can be fun and should be made fun. Doing chores shouldn't be boring. Besides, you're investing in a future of not having to do the jobs, because the kids can do them ;) And playtime really isn't a chore.

Skin to skin time post-feed equals more rest for you

After a feed, the baby can be more often than not, asleep.

In the early days, skin to skin time is good for everyone. Skin to skin time with Dad, after a feed, is awesome!

Dad can sit and watch a film, and mum can get some relax/sleep/me time whilst baby is asleep. No need to be concentrating on a bottle, as baby is well fed and that's not your responsibility.

Look who conked out on Daddy

Sleep during night feeds

This is a benefit that the mothers may frown upon initially, but the benefit helps them as well as the dad. Sleep.

There will come a time when you won't be needed for constant nappy changes in the middle of the night. Mum will feed the baby when it stirs and you will be able to get some precious sleep to prep for the next day at work and to help out mum. No need for you to prep/give a bottle. And breastfeeding mums tend to get more sleep than formula/combination feeding mums, so she'll (possibly) be less grumpy in the morning.

Dads can also have a good amount of energy stored up to bond/play with the baby.

Far less hassle; Far less expense

If your baby is being breastfed then you remove hassle of having to...

- buy formula

- buy bottles

Bond by babywearing

- clean and sterilise bottles

- make up formula (boil/cool water, scoop the right scoops...)

- faff with feeding routines

- make sure you've got enough milk packed for a day out or trip away

We had no choice but to supplement with formula for our 2, so I had to do the above, but if you don't have to, then don't!

Big boobs

This is a nice one! or two ;-)

Pregnancy makes mum's boobs get bigger; breastfeeding keeps them bigger!

You might not get to play with them as much as you used to, but with all the brownie points you're getting from having extra time to help out, I'll let you imagine the possible benefits to this :-)

No risk of getting left at home with the baby

Baby needs to stay near mum if she's breastfeeding.

So, dads... no need to panic, you won't be left alone at home feeding the baby. You won't be able to lactate enough. Trust me!

You get to eat more

In order to make sure that mum is keeping the milk production line running, it's recommended that mum eats 500 calories extra per day ideally.

This means, more food and snacks, which of course dads can join in with too! Yum!!!

No need for pacing the floors if baby is crying

If baby is upset, tired, sick, grumpy, stick it on the boob!

It's a great pacifier!   

And remember........

Happy baby + happy mummy = happy Dad!

You've found the Scavenger Hunt logo! Now enter the giveaway below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Now visit one of the Scavenger Hunt sponsors:

Close Parent - have a passion for creating wonderfully made and honestly considered products for parents and the little miracles they nurture through babyhood. . . We used a Close Parent carrier when M was a newborn. Easy to put on and a great way to get dad involved and bonding.
They're offering a brand new pack of 6 washable breastpads with mesh bag for storage.

And check out some of the other bloggers involved in the Hunt:
Slugs and Snails
Dancing in Wellies
Like Tomorrow
Visit from the Stork
Attachment Feminism


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