Breastfeeding dads !

Recently I came across this lovely picture on Pinterest :

Except for the fact that the baby is facing the wrong way (just a small matter !) it struck me as quite a good example of the breastfeeding position called side-lying.

It got me thinking about what makes a breastfeeding relationship what it is, how the bond is tied, and how dads can find their place in this relationship.

I think we often forget that breastfeeding is not only about feeding. Let's reflect on what a breastfeeding mum does when she 'feeds' her baby :
- she holds her baby
- she sits with her baby
- she sleeps with her baby (sometimes, if it's her choice, like the dad in the picture)
- she gives comfort to her baby
- she gives milk to her baby
Breastfeeding mums talk about the time they spend sitting down, feeding, and by feeding they encompass all of the above. So, once the baby is fed, why couldn't dads do the same ? Yes it is sometimes difficult to put a baby down after they've fallen asleep while feeding. Yes they sometimes keep sucking for comfort. But there is a difference between being put down in a cot or moses basket and being cuddled in dad's arms!
Many breastfeeding mums might find that, maybe with a bit of rocking and singing when they change arms, their baby will be perfectly happy to finish their sleep with dad. And isn't it the precious bond and relationship dads are really after when they express the wish to feed the baby ?!

I found other pictures of contented babies in dads' arms, that are strongly reminiscent of breastfeeding positions :

Cradle hold (almost perfect, baby would just need to be turned in a bit more)

Laid back (just look how peaceful they both are!)

Rugby hold (not quite but close enough!)

Naomi Stadlen wrote a beautiful book called What Mothers Do, Especially When it Looks like Nothing. Maybe that's all  fathers need to do to experience the same sort of bond as mothers have with their baby. Doing nothing else than being with their baby, feeling like they're doing nothing when they're actually doing everything ;)

Anne x