by Jennie Bernstein
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Served Fresh Daily.
When talking about breastfeeding we naturally spend a lot of time and energy working with, talking to, and sharing about women and babies so it may come as a surprise to you to hear that I feel breastfeeding is not a women’s issue, rather a humanitarian issue. Which means it’s a men’s issue too. Breastfeeding may seem like it’s about moms and babies but in reality breastfeeding is about the family and all of humanity. It matters not just to those doing it and those receiving it but the value of breastfeeding extends to those that used to breastfeed, those who support those who breastfeed, those who know someone who breastfeeds, those who love someone who breastfeeds, and those that helped make the baby that breastfeeds.
Partners, this post’s for you.
I thought about having Jeremy write a post on dads and breastfeeding related to Father’s Day but that was about the equivalent of saying “hey, it’s the holiday to celebrate you… here’s more work for you to do!” Instead we’re heading down the “brag about your partner” path.
Recent research suggests that one of the most important contributing factors in a woman reaching her breastfeeding goals is the support she receives. Those closest to her and health care professionals can have the most impact on her breastfeeding experience. Partners, this means you! Your role in breastfeeding, even though you’re not the one putting the baby to your breast, is not to be minimized. You matter, a lot. And I’ll let you in on a little secret: when you help support a mom according to her needs, she will fall more in love with you. Check out this thread on The Leaky B@@b Facebook page to see more about that. Women are strong and determined and are equipped to breastfeed just fine on their own without support but when we don’t have to… it’s a beautiful thing.
I’m confident I could breastfeed just fine without The Piano Man’s support but I am grateful I have my partner’s support non the less. With so much emphasis put on being a “real man” in culture today it could be easy for him to not be willing to support me breastfeeding or think there’s no room for his involvement but his role is important, valuable. Real man? There is little I find more attractive than an involved partner, equally parenting in a setting of equal support and respect for each other’s contribution in the family. That’s sexy. And totally worth celebrating.
Eighteen ways to support your breastfeeding partner and bond with your baby
My friend Jamie Grumet from I Am Not the Babysitter celebrates these involved partners too and I just love her “Real Men of AP” series highlighting attached dads, see her post about her husband Brian, A Real Man of AP. From babywearing to breastfeeding support, Real Men of AP are the partners that aren’t afraid to forge deep connections with their children, biological or otherwise, even if it means bucking what society tells them is required to be a “real man.” Nurturing, giving, and in tune, these guys step up their manliness factor not in spite of but because they participate in tea parties, run the vacuum, and with lots of cuddles.
This post went live Thursday and then vanished as a result of some technical problems. Preparing our eldest daughter to leave for the rest of the summer, I tried to juggle the issues with the site and having my attention focused on her and getting her ready to leave on Father’s Day. The Piano Man encouraged me to let it go and just be present with my family. So this post is late, very late, but somehow it feels right that it’s so late because it was my very own Real Man of AP that saw my stress in the midst of it all and reminded me of what’s really important and I took the time needed to pour into my family and it was good for my heart. When I think of the guy I co-parent with I see the guy that helps me be the kind of parent I want to be even when external circumstances make that challenging. A man that reminds me it can be ok to disappoint others in some areas so I can be so present with my family. Today that’s what I think of when I think of my Real Man of AP.
The Leaky Boob is teaming up with Jamie and Beco Baby Carrier for a great giveaway and sharing information about how to form strong connections with our children. We want to see the Real Men in your life and how they are attached and connecting with your children, whatever that looks like. Then on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 10am Central, we’re having a live chat sponsored by Beco Baby Carrier with Jamie Grumet from I am not The Babysitter about developing those attachments with our children, babywearing, discussing attachment parenting, and taking a look at parenting beyond a theory or philosophy in the real world. Share your images and stories of a Real Man of AP and enter for a chance to win one of 3 Beco Soleils (retail value $130/each) and attach drool pads, a coordinating hood, and an infant insert with accessory pack (retail value $40/each) and you can keep the attachment going with a carry-all bag (retail value $25/each) that attaches to the carrier. Let’s show the world what a Real Man of AP looks like, use the hashtag #RealMenofAP on twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and FB so we all can see (and tag us!) and we’ll share our favorite images on the Facebook pages of I Am Not the Babysitter, Beco Baby Carrier, and The Leaky Boob and visit the Real Men of AP tumblr.
Quick info on the Beco Soleil:
Good luck and we look forward to seeing and hearing your pictures and stories! See the widget below to enter.
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