Need info for my website - help!

[pcurious70]

I am a dad to be - so be nice - k? I already posted before on how I never saw anyone breastfeed till I was 23. I have had hardly any exposure to breastfeeding and wasn't sure how I would feel with my wife breastfeeding. (I know ... you probably thinking "typical man".

Fact is: I felt a little insecure with it because it seems so intimate and what would I have to offer? So I felt a little jealous and unsure about the whole thing.

I started doing research on the web in hopes of finding info for dad's on the subject and most of the info seems to be for mom's - duh. To make a long story short ... I found info that was helpful to me and I really want us to do what is right for our baby. But since I feel the information is fairly scarce ... I have decided to create a website to help new dad's with the breastfeeding thing and I am currently in the process of gathering my research together.

If you don't mind ... would you please share what issues you and your husband had/have with breastfeeding? Feelings on NIP? Nursing toddler? Did you and he talk about it or was it just your decision? Has hubby been supportive or discouraging when it comes to breastfeeding? What does hubby do to get involved? Blah blah blah.

Any info you can provide will be helpful to me and hopefully many other dads out there. If you want me to email you a list of questions to give hubby - just let me know.

Tom

i think the most important thing about having a new baby is that both parents can feel vaguely sane in the early months (if at all possible!). This can only be achieved by good communication and making sure mum doesn't distance herself from her partner and lets him have quality time with baby. I know a lot of mothers who are very protective over the new baby - but it is so important that Dad can be involved too. My partner was hugely supportive about breastfeeding and bottle feeding - whatever i was happier doing which turned out to be breastfeeding for only 3 weeks followed by bottles. He helped with the night feeds at the beginning (with expressed bottle) and helped out with changing/bathing. Feeding isn't the only way for a man to bond with his new baby. So long as he is not made to feel excluded from the beginning he shouldn't have a problem with breastfeeding.

Response to questionnaire

** Breast

** Can't remember any really early experiences. But I remember visiting my best friend when we were about 25 when she had her first baby and my first husband was with me. I felt a little uncomfortable and wasn't sure where to look but got used to it after a bit, but my ex was really freaked and I think it made me really worry about what kind of dad or supportive hubby he might be if we had children (thankfully not something that happened).

** He is very supportive (and proud) and was supportive (and proud) from the beginning.

** Now that my ds is a bit older he wriggles about a bit more and pulls and pushes, which is not exactly the serene picture of a breastfeeding mum that I have in mind for public breastfeeding and is particularly uncomfortable with new people and new situations and I worry that people will think that he is too old.

** Generally fine (see comment above though). Incredibly convenient.

** My IL's took a bit to get used to it, but I think it is OK with them now that they realise how simple it is and how happy it makes him.

** Yes - I just think that breastfeeding doesn't have a high enough profile in the general community and with the SWM (stupid white men) in power.

** No

** No change required.

** Not applicable.

** I don't think that there is any firm answer. I will probably stop around 12mths, because I want to fall pregnant with my second child.