Dads Supporting Breastfeeding

Brought to you by Medela

When you think breasfeeding, you think MOM. Mom produces the milk and baby feeds directly from Mom's body. There are many ways that Dad can help. Medela has outlined some ideas for dads. Read all about it here and check out Medela's amazing line of products as well as their website for more information!

Daddies and Breastfeeding: Ways to Stay Involved

Before the Baby Comes

1. Be supportive of your partner's decision to breastfeed by understanding the benefits of breastmilk.
2. Help your partner find information on what breastpump your insurance will cover. The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to provide equipment and support with no co-pay, but the actual pump provided will vary from company to company.
3. Join your partner in preparing for the experience of breastfeeding by taking a course that will provide you both with the information you'll need to know.
4. Seek out other fathers who have supported their partners while Breastfeeding to gain real world advice.

At the Hospital

1. At the hospital, be an advocate for your partner. Make sure the staff knows that she wants to breastfeed and that formula should not be given to the baby without consent.
2. Find the lactation consultant if mom is struggling. Many hospitals have one on staff, and early intervention and support from a professional is crucial, particularly for first-time moms.
3. Ask the hospital staff about local breastfeeding support groups for after your family goes home. Peer encouragement is helpful, and it's an excuse for mom and baby to get out of the house.

At Home

1. In addition to making sure your partner has what she needs while she heals from childbirth, you can help the breastfeeding transition to home by making sure she is comfortable while nursing—by bringing her pillows, foot rest, water, etc.
2. It doesn't sound glamorous, but diaper changes are a great way for you to get involved in baby care. In addition to giving your partner a break, it's a chance for you and your baby to start practicing conversation skills by making eye contact, cooing noises and engaging your baby with changing facial expressions.
3. If your partner starts pumping, you'll have a chance to bond with your baby over a bottle and give your partner a break. You can further help your partner by washing and sterilizing pump parts and bottles.
4. Be your partner's biggest cheerleader. Breastfeeding can be frustrating and difficult in the beginning, but you can provide moral support by acknowledging the difficulty of nursing and offering to find a professional to help, such as lactation consultant (which should be covered by your insurance). And remind your partner of why she wanted to breastfeed in the first place!

The Kiinde Kozii is Super FAB!

This is MUST have for every new mom and dad! The Kiinde Kozii is the most amazing warmer to enter the world of breast/formula feeding. For busy moms on-the-go, or sleepy dads taking the late night feedings, the Kiinde Kozii, following CDC guidelines, safely, quickly, effectively warms breastmilk, formula, baby food, etc using a constant flow of warm, not hot, water, thus allowing the warmer to heat using a lower temperature but still super fast! 

The Kiinde Kozii was designed by two men who decided that dads can help with breastfeeding too, but that waiting around for a bowl of warm water to heat the frozen breast milk was just too long of a process. Baby is screaming away and the water in the bowl quickly turns cold or the pot-on-the-stove method heats the bottle too much! The Kiinde Kozii is super easy to use!

The Kozii keeps the water at a set temperature to ensure no over-heating occurs and has built in timer to turn off when done and to ensure that the milk/food does not continue heating, the water in the chamber drains out! Let us not forget to mention that when the water drains, it remains in another chamber for the next use! No more refilling every use. This saves time and keeps both mom/dad and baby much much happier! Ahhhhh-maaaaaazzzzziiiinnng! We simply adore this milk warmer and know that you will too! It is the latest, most innovative, MUST HAVE baby item on the market! 

The Kiinde Kozii retails for just $69.99. Visit the Kiinde website here to read more about the amazing Kozii and why you MUST have this item! 

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