BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 17: A father and daughter walk in the city center on July 17, 2012 in Berlin, Germany. The German government recently passed a new law that will guarantee every child between 1 and 3 years old a spot in a child day care center (in German: a Kita, or Kindertagesstaette) starting August 1, 2013. Critics charge the law is based on faulty numbers and that both a shortage of facilities and nursery-school teachers will make the law impossible to implement. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Sometimes as a new dad, you aren’t always sure how to help and be supportive of their breastfeeding partners.
Muhammed Nitoto his a new dad himself and he shared his top tips for other new dads in a now-viral Facebook post.
- Pitch in during night feedings – When mom wakes up in the middle of the night, get up and ask if she needs help or water. Nitoto says most of the time she’ll say no, “but just the fact that you offered will go far.”
- If Mom can pump, pick one feeding that you can do – This way mom can rest without worrying about the baby and dad gets to be involved.
- Don’t question how long mom wants to breastfeed – It’s different for every mom and baby and this dad gets that. He discourages dads from rushing the process and warns, “It’s not our place” and that “you’ll open yourself up to a fight you can’t win.” And he’s right!
- Be patient – He tells dads the first few weeks can be hard because they’re equally excited, but “not as important yet” but he assures fathers that “babies grow fast and the stronger they get the more ‘Daddy Time’ will be coming.”
- Take paternity leave – He says if you have it, take it adding, “You can always make money but there are no instant replays in life.”