Be supportive as she breastfeeds

Aug 07, 2011

AUGUST is Breastfeeding Month and breastfeeding is a personal choice that all mothers make. It is no exaggeration to say that breast milk is amazing. It has all the nutrients a baby needs during its first six months of life and let us not overlook this-it is free.

By Cecilia Okoth

AUGUST is Breastfeeding Month and breastfeeding is a personal choice that all mothers make. It is no exaggeration to say that breast milk is amazing. It has all the nutrients a baby needs during its first six months of life and let us not overlook this-it is free.

Each mother’s breast milk is a unique living substance, which changes daily to meet your baby’s growing needs.

Sarah Mugisha, a mother of two and also a breast feeding mum, says the more you breast feed, the more milk the body produces for the baby.

“Breast milk remains the baby’s most important source of nutrition for the first year,” says Mugisha.

However, many times the fathers are left out while their wives breastfeed the baby. Of course a man cannot breastfeed a baby but this does not mean he has no role to play during such moments.

A man’s support often makes the difference in whether a woman sticks to nursing her baby or gives up breastfeeding earlier than recommended.

“The father’s support is critical, especially for a mother who is breastfeeding for the first time,” says Joseph Musaalo, a counsellor at Uganda Christian University, Mukono. “Ideally, the man is supposed to know the woman in and out. If he is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and supportive, it makes the difference,” he adds.

Without support from their partners, many women find it hard to make it through the first weeks of nursing. When a father makes the effort to encourage and reassure the new mother, she becomes more confident in her choice to breastfeed.

“The best thing a husband can do is be willing to support you,” says Vicky Kirema, a mother of three. “He has to understand why you are doing it and be by your side to encourage you whenever you think of giving up,” she adds.

The hardest thing for many fathers is feeling left out during the early weeks of a baby’s life because the woman is preoccupied with making sure the baby is fine.

This is, however, a good time to show how caring you are. For instance, while she is taking a shower or busy in the kitchen, carry the baby.

“He does not necessarily have to be there each time I breastfeed our baby, but the care and the small things he does like getting me a warm towel when I need one, are enough,” says Joyce Aliyinza. “He sometimes brings me water, juice or a book to read.”

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