Welcome to Hello Mama, a collective of women passionate about supporting and empowering women and families.We offer both birth and postpartum doula services to women living in the Vancouver area, and would love to hear from you if you have any questions or would like to find out what ways we can support you during your pregnancy and beyond.

Contact us at info@hellomama.ca

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Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips for Spouses

Andi Silverman, author of Mama Knows Breast recently posted her Top 10 Breastfeeding Tips for Spouses on her blog as part of a breastfeeding blog carnival. I thought she listed some great, and really practical ideas for new (or second...third...time round!) parents, so I decided to re-post them here for you all.

1. Provide words of encouragement and reassurance. Emotional support will make the new mom comfortable and confident about breastfeeding.

2. Make sure the breastfeeding mother has all the supplies she needs for each feeding. Once she's stuck under the weight of a happily eating baby, it's not wise for her to get up and rock the boat. Things she might want: a glass of water, burp cloth, telephone and television remote control.

3. Think of a sweet way to surprise the breastfeeding mom. Flowers, a note, a foot rub or perhaps a gift certificate for a spa will make her forget how tired she is.

4. Give the baby a bottle of pumped breast milk so that mom can nap, or even sleep for four hours straight during the night. But before jumping in with that bottle, wait until a few weeks after birth so that mom's breastfeeding routine and milk supply are well-established. (Take note: if you want to make this a regular part of your routine, you will have to pump later to keep your supply in pace with the baby's demand).

5. Retrieve the baby when she cries in the middle of the night and take her to mom for a feeding. Once the feeding is over, burp and diaper the baby so that mom can got back to sleep.

6. Help with housework. Babies generate a bottomless pile of dirty clothes, so do a load of laundry. In addition, do the dishes and clean some bottles.

7. Take care of dinner at least a couple nights a week. If you aren't Emeril, then order take-out or pick up a pizza on your way home.

8. Offer to write thank-you notes for baby gifts. At a minimum, make sure there are enough stamps in the house.

9. Ask a breastfeeding mother, "Do you need help with anything while you're feeding the baby?" Even if she says "No," she'll definitely appreciate your concern.

10. Photograph or videotape mom and baby while breastfeeding. Despite all protests, mom will probably be glad to have a photo to look back on.

If you'd like to take a look at Andi's blog, and read up some more on breastfeeding, you can find it here.