I'm a really believer in breast massages and compressions in the early weeks
to encourage the baby to finish his meal.  When I help with latch and
positioning, I start out sitting by the mom.  Then, I move the dad over to
sit next to the mom and we go over the positioning and the latch-on
technique.  I move to the other side of mom's chair so I can watch the baby
and when the baby takes more than a 30 second pause in sucking, I reach over
and massage the breast from the chest wall toward the nipple, the baby begins
to pick up his suck, and I say to dad, "Dad, this is how you can help to feed
your baby and be part of the feedings.  Watch the baby's suck, when the baby
takes a longer than 30 second pause, you massage mom's breast to help the
baby get more milk.  And, talk to the baby and encourage him to continue to
feed."  The dad will start massaging moms breast and the baby picks up his
suck and dad smiles and says how much he likes helping. (BTW, I've never had
a dad that needed a lot of instruction on breast massage and compression.)

We have learned ways to help involve the husband in childbirth and we
encourage their help there.  They do feel left out of the breastfeeding, but
with a little creativity we can include them and in doing so enhance the
breastfeeding for mom and baby and dad. I also talk about skin to skin with
dad.  I talk about mom, dad and baby going to bed to rest and have a baby
honeymoon with their baby.  The dads love it and so do the moms because mom
wants to feel she has help and is being supported. I don't have many dads
wanting to give a bottle till the recommended 4-8 weeks.

Warm regards,
Pat Lindsey, IBCLC - Lactation Services
Pediatrics Plus Staff LC & Private Practice
Orlando, FL

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