• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast
You are here: Home / Baby / How dads can help with breastfeeding

How dads can help with breastfeeding

November 4, 2009 by Ryan Bauer Leave a Comment

When baby arrives there is one ball that can seem solely in mom’s court: breastfeeding.  As a father of three breastfed children (a four-year-old and two-year-old twins) with another one on the way, I understand this dilemma. But after thousands of feedings and three years working as an engineer for leading breastpump manufacturer Medela, I have a few tips for dads who are anxious to get in the game.

Be a cheerleader. Before baby arrives, understand the value of breastmilk. For baby it means fewer ear and respiratory infections, and is also associated with lower risk of asthma, obesity, diabetes, childhood leukemia, and SIDS. For moms: lower risk of breast cancer and lower rates of diabetes and ovarian cancer. If mom hits roadblocks, remind her of the big picture.

Investigate.  Check with your employer and insurance company to see if they have a reimbursement program for breastpumps. Yes, dads’ employers can provide lactation support, too.

Pack up.  As you pack the hospital ready bag, make sure a breastpump, nursing bra, bra pads, lanolin, and cleaning accessories are on your check list. These may come in handy if breastfeeding gets off to a rocky start in the hospital, plus a nurse or LC can provide instruction on how to put it all together. Stay and take notes–your wife will appreciate your new-found mechanical expertise the first day she needs to pump sans LC.

Tag team. With the twins, my wife was too sore from her C-section to nurse both at once, so while one ate I was comforting the other—even during the night feedings. This goes if baby has older sibling(s), too.

Give her a break.  Remind mom to pump a few bottles after breastfeeding is well established. This allows you to take a feeding or two and lets her go to lunch with a friend, take a nap or simply rest and enjoy watching you bond with baby.

Roll up your sleeves. Help clean the pump parts. New products  make the process much easier than typical dish duty; label and appropriately store breastmilk; and keep track of your breastmilk stockpile.

At first glance, breastfeeding may seem a woman’s domain, but a supportive father is incredibly important. If you take these steps you can take pride in knowing that you played a vital role in reaching your family’s breastfeeding goal.

Ryan Bauer works as a Medela Engineering Team Lead and is a father of three.

Filed Under: Baby

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks
Great Dad Talks

Great Dad Talks is a series of conversations with experts on all aspects of the family adventure. With the perspective that “dads don’t always think like moms,” our mission is to support dad voices and our slightly different approaches to parenting. We’ll try to find solutions to every day challenges like getting kids off the couch and making STEM classes available for both boys and girls. But we’ll also tackle bigger issues when they come. The one main theme will be to support dads in the most important role of their lives that of being a great dad. Connect with us at greatdad.com and watch the video version of these podcasts at YouTube.com/greatdadnews

150. The Power of Humor in Parenting with Gavin Bellour
byPaul Banas

How does humor shape a happy family? In this episode of Great Dad Talks, explore the power of laughter in parenting with director, creative, and dad of four, Gavin Bellour. Gavin shares stories from both his advertising career—featuring celebrities like Jason Biggs, Martha Stewart, and Norm Macdonald—and his life as a father trying to find joy, even amid chaos.

From embracing dad jokes to making humor an essential family value, we discuss the challenges and hilarity of parenthood. We cover playful family rituals, the importance of laughing at yourself, and practical tips on bringing more humor—and less stress—into your home.

Check out Gavin’s website at www.gavinbellour.com

Visit these links and embark on the path to becoming the best parent you can be:

– GreatDad.com/coaching 

– GreatDad.com/pq 

– Gratitude course: bit.ly/3NMLDNC  

50% off for podcast listeners with code PODCAST50

150. The Power of Humor in Parenting with Gavin Bellour
150. The Power of Humor in Parenting with Gavin Bellour
June 17, 2025
Paul Banas
149. Winning College Applications with Hamada Zahawi
June 10, 2025
Paul Banas
148. Healing Generational Trauma with Dr. Sasha Reiisi
June 3, 2025
Paul Banas
147. Discovering Dad’s Purpose with Adam Landrum
May 27, 2025
Paul Banas
146. Balancing Business and Family with Dr. Travis Parry
May 20, 2025
Paul Banas
145. Understanding Children’s Emotional Needs with Dr. David Marcus
May 13, 2025
Paul Banas
144. Exploring Mindful Fatherhood with Odeani Mc Bean
May 6, 2025
Paul Banas
143. Overcoming Dad Burnout with Scott Anderson
April 29, 2025
Paul Banas
142. Building Resilient Kids with Dr. Richard Oelberger
April 24, 2025
Paul Banas
141. Exploring Men’s Sexual Health with Dr. Elliot Justin
April 22, 2025
Paul Banas
Search Results placeholder

More to See

Father’s Day 2025: The Best Grilling Tools and Accessories for Dad

May 31, 2025 By Paul Banas

Balancing Business and Family with Dr. Travis Parry

May 20, 2025 By Paul Banas

Copyright © 2025 . GreatDad