The following subjects are covered on this page:
I want to breastfeed, how to I prepare for this?, Now your a father , Fathers rights!
I want to breastfeed, how to I prepare for this?
Before breastfeeding, try to learn as much as you can before your baby is born. Speak to other mums who have breastfed, read books, or ask professionals, like midwife, health visitor. Some hosptials offer a special class which teaches you about breastfeeding, this is usually during the last trimester.
Whilst you are pregnant, your body goes under amazing changes, and one of this changes is getting your body ready for breastfeeding. This is one of the reasons your breasts become much bigger during pregnancy. Your milk ducts and milk producing cells are developing, and an increase in blood flow goes to your breasts than before.
Regardless of the size of your breasts, you should still be able to breastfeed your baby successfully, even if your breasts stay small, you will most probably be able to still feed your baby, as the more your feed your baby, the more milk your breasts produce.
Do I need to toughen my nipples?
Your body gets your breasts ready for feeding, so no need to toughen your nipples. The hormal changes that happen during pregnancy are sufficient preparation for most women.
Do not, rub or scrub your nipples, this will only cause you pain, and make breastfeeding difficult later. By feeding your baby the correct way from the beginning will prevent our nipples from becoming sore.
Breastfeeding protects your baby from diarrhea, respiratory problems, and ear infections
Breast feeding your baby during the first six months, makes your baby less likely to suffer from diarrhea, and infections. Less likely to develope ear infections, when compared to babies who are bottle fed.
Those babies that are breastfed for up to a year, are less likely to get stomach infections, or eczema during the first year of life. Babies who are weaned sooner than breastfed babies are more likely to get stomach infections during the first year of life.
Why breast is best
Your body makes breast milk, this is because breast milk is the best milk you can give your baby, ask any medical professionals, who will tell you this, that breastfeeding is the best food for your baby. Breast milk contains everything your baby needs for at least the first six to 12 months of life.
How to breastfeed
Feeds can take between ten to 60 minutes, the more relaxed your are with breastfeeding, the easier feeding will become, and more enjoyable way of bonding with your baby.
Atmosphere is very important when feeding, you must be able to feel completely relaxed, for those mums who get bored very quickly, breast feeding whilst watching television may be good and more relaxing for you, than sitting in a quiet room, it varys from mum to mum. The main aim is to be comfortable, and relaxed. Especially, during the first few weeks, whilst you are trying to get the hang of it.
You should make sure the baby's mouth is placed over a big part of the areola, below the nipple, your nipple should go back to the back of the babies mouth. If when the baby latches on, and it is painful, you must break suction, by inserting your little finger at the side of the baby's mouth, inbetween the gums, and try again. Once you have learnt how to get the baby latched on properly, it should not be painful, and the baby shall automatically do the rest.
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Now your a father
Great you are going to become a dad, either for the first time, or again. Your child is part of your legacy. When the end of our days come, you will remember those precious memorys, of a small, warm, fretful little body, laying against your chest, in the middle of the night, completely dependent upon you and the mum. But we struggle to hum to nursery rhymes etc, and although there are hard times ahead with sleepless nights and stuff, they are also great memories to have of your baby.
From the first moment, you will be seen as a hero type of figure, to be a great dad, a great partner, your child/children especially look up to you as some kind of super hero.
Although, you might be feeling confused, scared, or worried, but try not too, you are not alone, loads of fathers to be have the same feelings. Money problems may also make you anxious, but that is not at all surprising with a baby on the way.
Most of us find it hard to get the juggling act of money and bills in the right order, the balance between them seems impossible at times, with all those ground rules to follow, and can be hard.
There is however, to right way to be a dad, what you feel is best for you, may be not best for the dad next door, everyone has their own way of being a father, and what is right for them. So you must believe in yourself, and trust your instincts, believe me you know alot more than you think you do.
Just because you will make mistakes, will not make you a bad father either, we all make mistakes, and we learn from this. Typically, you will find that dads will pick things up, and learn just as quickly as mums, when they are given the opportunity.
You may even find that at pre-natal that people tend to talk directly to the mother, leaving you feeling sligthly left out, if this happens, make sure you explain you want to know exactly whats happening, and kept informed, don't be made to feel like an outsider.
Soon you will be able to show how in touch with the times you are, making sure you and your child feel close and stay close as your child grows.
Fathers rights!
As a father to be, or new father you will need to know your rights, if you are not married to your partner, this can cause problems and lead to being a disadvantage. You may even have your name on the birth certificate, or pay child support, but even this won't give you any rights to stop your child being put up for adoption, or changing her name, or even being taken out of the country without your permission. To protect your child and your relationship with your child you should consider the following:
Getting married.
Make sure your name is on the birth certificate, apply for forms for Parental Responsibilty. (This Service is Free Of Charge) you will need to get in contact with Central Registry on 020 7947 6936 if you live in the UK.
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