How to Involve a Dad in Baby Care when You Breastfeed

So many new breastfeeding moms say that they do not involve their husband or partner with their newborn's care because there is not anything dad can do to help. After all, mom is breastfeeding, so there are not any bottles to make or clean. Mom is exclusively responsible for providing each feeding. She has to be awake anyway, so she might as well handle all baby care, right? Wrong! Involving a new father with caring for a baby is essential to bringing the family unit together and helping a new dad bond with the baby. Here are a few ways my husband helped with our new babies' care when I was breastfeeding.

How to Involve a Dad in Baby Care When You Breastfeed: Let Him Change the Diapers

A new father is more than capable of learning how to change a diaper. He might even be better at it than you are, and that is just fine! While some people complain about having to change a dirty diaper, diaper changes can be a great time to have fun with a newborn, especially one that sleeps most of the day. While the new father is changing the diaper, he can give lots of kisses, massage little fingers and toes, and get to know the baby. This little bit of extra time can give mom an opportunity to get a fresh glass of water, arrange her pillows, and get comfortable for breastfeeding. At night, mom can use this extra time to catch a few precious moments of sleep.

How to Involve a Dad in Baby Care When You Breastfeed: Let Him Give Baths

Not only can a new father change diapers, he can learn to give baths. In the early weeks, dad can give sponge baths to baby until the umbilical cord heals. Even though a newborn baby does not need frequent baths, he does need to be gently cleaned as often as necessary. Softly wipe his eyes and face with a cotton ball dipped in warm water. Then and use a cloth with just a touch of baby wash to clean his neck, hands, feet, arms, legs, belly, back, and (last of all) diaper area. Dad can then dress and snuggle baby to sleep or even read a book to baby. If the new father is really ambitious, and if baby will tolerate it, he can incorporate gentle massage into this time he has with the new baby.

How to Involve a Dad in Baby Care When You Breastfeed: Let Him Soothe

I often found that because I was tired and in physical pain from surgery that I was just too worn out to have much patience with a fussy baby. Believe it or not, new fathers can be wonderfully comforting. Your baby is already used to hearing your husband or partner talking, and his voice can be very calming. After baby has been fed, changed, and bathed, let your husband put your baby to bed. Dad can rock the baby, sing to the baby, read to the baby, and snuggle the baby just as well as you can. You and your baby might also enjoy the change of pace.

Involving a new father in the care of a newborn will give him confidence and help him to bond with the baby. Let your husband or partner learn to be a father-just as you are learning to be a mother.