Congratulations! Your partner has chosen to breast feed. Your involvement during the weeks following the birth of your baby is important. Here are some facts to help you support mother and baby during this time.

Benefits of Breast Feeding

• Breast milk is the best food for babies and contains all the nutrients needed by your baby. Human milk produces fewer allergies than does formula, soy, cow’s milk, or goat’s milk. Your partner will produce the right amount of milk to meet your growing baby’s needs.


• Breast fed babies have fewer illnesses, because human milk and colostrum (the early milk) contain antibodies to help fight infection. Breast fed babies have lower rates of diarrhea, ear infections, and respiratory infections. Breast fed babies also have a lower risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). As they get older and mature into adults, breast fed babies are smarter, and have lower rates of diabetes, some childhood cancers, and obesity (overweight).


• Breast feeding benefits your partner by helping decrease the blood lost after delivery, decreasing the risk of certain cancers such as breast cancer, and decreasing the risk of osteoporosis (bone loss), over time.


• Breast feeding is convenient and costs less than formula feeding, which can cost up to $2,000 (or more) per year. In addition, breast milk is always the right temperature, and does not need any special preparation or equipment such as bottles.

The Risks of Formula

• Although there are certain medical conditions which may prevent a woman from breast feeding and make it necessary to feed formula, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast feeding exclusively for the first 6 months. After 6 months, most babies will start taking complementary solid foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends that babies continue to receive breast milk along with other foods for as long as possible.


• Formula is a processed food, and there is always the potential for vital ingredients being left out of the formula, or formulas being mislabeled or expired. During processing, there is always risk of contamination


• by bacteria or other foreign substances.


• Errors in preparing formula have resulted in babies being malnourished or dehydrated. Formula should never be
• “stretched” to make it last longer.


• Offering bottles of formula can decrease your partner’s milk supply. The more breast milk the baby drinks, the more breast milk your partner will produce. Babies can have severe allergic reactions to the ingredients in formula. Check with your baby’s pediatrician first before supplementing with any formula.

Normal Behavior and Feeding Patterns

• Babies should be offered the breast during the first hour of life, and every 2-3 hours thereafter. This is normal. Mother and baby both need time to recover after the birth. Some babies will have no interest in


• eating for a day or longer due to delivery medications or anesthesia. The baby may have mucus in the stomach, may be sleepy, or in pain after procedures such as circumcision. Your partner should keep attempting to feed every two to three hours. The nurses and lactation consultant will assist your partner and baby as they learn how to breast feed. Be patient! The baby has extra fat and body fluids to help during this time.


• Once baby is ready to eat, breast fed babies normally eat 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. Some babies will cluster feed, or eat hourly, several times in a row. This does not mean your partner does not have enough milk. This is a normal pattern, and also may occur during growth spurts.

Ways to Support Your Partner While She Breast Feeds

• Remember, it takes time for both mother and baby to learn to breast feed. Help your partner into a comfortable position, wake the baby by tickling or unwrapping, and bring her the baby when it is time to feed.


• Help with housework, such as dishes, laundry, preparing snacks/meals, and cleaning. Answer the phone and door.


• Go shopping for groceries and diapers.


• Help with baby care, such as bathing, diapering, rocking, and playing with your baby. Help care for older children.


• Tell her you are proud of her for breast feeding.


• Offer encouraging words like, “You can do it,” or “You do have enough milk.” Be supportive of your partner’s choice to breast feed by explaining the benefits to wellmeaning family and friends who think your baby should be formula fed, or given a pacifier.


• Know about breast feeding resources such as the MacDonald Lactation Center, the doctor, midwife, or La Leche League, so that if questions or concerns arise you and your partner know where to go for help.

Working or Returning to School While Breast Feeding
Your partner has many options for returning to work or school. It is possible to work or go to school and breast feed. Encourage your partner to check with the lactation center, her doctor, midwife, or La Leche League for help in planning her return to work/school, and for help deciding which option is best for her and the baby.
The MacDonald Lactation Center has a wide selection of breast pumps and other supplies to help mothers returning to work or school.

Sexuality and Breast Feeding

• Until your partner sees her doctor or midwife for the postpartum visit (usually around 6 weeks after the birth of the baby), nothing should be placed inside the vagina, and intercourse should not be attempted until your partner’s health care provider permits it.


• Remember that having a baby is a tiring experience. Your partner may not initially have the same interest in sex as before the baby was born. This is true even for women who are formula feeding.


• For women who breast feed, the vagina may not be as moist or slippery during intercourse. There are products which will improve vaginal lubrication/moisture available at any pharmacy or grocery store. Your partner’s doctor, midwife, or nurse can instruct her on which products to use.


• The hormones involved in the process of breast feeding are also involved during sexual response. Women may feel sleepy, relaxed or sensual while breast feeding.


• Be aware that the breasts may leak milk during arousal. Have a sense of humor and talk openly with your partner about what both your concerns are. Remember, there are other ways to make love than intercourse—hold hands, cuddle, etc.


• While breast feeding may decrease the risk of pregnancy and delay menstruation, it is not a reliable form of birth control. Make sure that you and your partner are using an appropriate form of birth control such as condoms or diaphragms, spermicidal foams or gels, birth control pills, birth control shots, or permanent sterilization such as tubal ligation or vasectomy if no additional children are desired. You, your partner and your health care providers can help you decide which options are right for you both.

A Final Word to Fathers
Having a new baby is a wonderful and exciting time. Don’t forget to care for yourself by getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising. You will be able to take better care of your partner and new baby if you take good care of yourself! Remember, the first few weeks are the most challenging, but successful breast feeding makes the
process of becoming new parents easier and more rewarding!