Breastfeeding: How to Get Dad Involved

When it comes to pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, never are the biological differences between men and women more apparent. Simply put, mothers have the ability to breastfeed—fathers don't. While the relationship and closeness between a nursing mom and her baby can make many men feel left out, fathers can and should play an important role in nurturing their breastfed babies.

"It's important for dads to be involved," says Armin Brott, author of The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year and the host of the weekly radio program Positive Parenting.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a baby receive breast milk exclusively for the first six months of life. "Women with supportive and encouraging husbands will find more joy in breastfeeding and are less likely to quit early," says Brott.

So how can a man bond with his child while encouraging a healthy nursing relationship between his wife and baby? The opportunities are plentiful!