Breastfeeding is natural, but it doesn’t always come naturally. For many mums, it’s a journey filled with learning curves, sleepless nights, physical discomfort, and a whirlwind of emotions. And while mums are the ones doing the feeding, they shouldn’t be doing it alone.
It takes a village to raise a child, and that starts right from the breastfeeding stage, through the support we as a society give to the mother as she goes through her breastfeeding journey. When it comes to supporting a breastfeeding mother, every member of the society has a role to play: partner, friend, employer, coworker, or policymaker, you play a significant part in making a breastfeeding mum feel seen, supported, and strong.
And this guide is your starting point. Here, you will learn how best to provide needed help at the right time to a lactating mum depending on what category you fall in or what your relationship is with the new mum.
Check out: Importance of Breastfeeding
How Dads Can Support Breastfeeding Mums
Breastfeeding may be between mum and baby physically, but emotionally and practically, it’s a team effort — and dads have a powerful role to play. From the outside, it might seem like there’s little you can do, but your support can make all the difference.
Here are meaningful ways you as a dad can support a breastfeeding mother:
1. Be Her Hypeman
Tell her she’s doing an amazing job, often. Breastfeeding isn’t always as natural or easy as it looks. It can be exhausting, frustrating, and emotional, especially in the early days.
Your words of encouragement: “I’m so proud of you,” “You’re doing this beautifully,” or even a simple “Thank you for all you’re doing” can be the fuel that keeps her going.
Sometimes, what she needs most is to feel seen and appreciated. Let her know you’re watching and cheering her on. Small words, big impact.
2. Take Over Nighttime Diaper Duty
If she’s up breastfeeding, you can be up too. Offer to change the baby’s diaper before or after the feed so she can stay put or rest sooner. You might also offer to burp the baby after a feed while she stretches or resets. It’s not about splitting things 50/50, but about showing that you’re in this together, not just during the easy moments, but also the messy, sleepy 3 a.m. ones. Those acts build deep trust.
3. Keep Her Nourished and Hydrated
Breastfeeding mums need extra calories and fluids, but in between nursing, pumping, and baby cuddles, it’s easy for her to forget to eat or drink. Bring her water regularly, stock up on her favorite snacks, or surprise her with a warm bowl of food.
Even helping prep freezer meals or ordering food can lift a weight off her shoulders. This can also serve as a loving reminder that her well-being matters too.
4. Create a Cozy Feeding Nest
Whether she prefers to nurse on the couch, bed, or nursery, help set up a calm, comfortable environment. Bring her a nursing pillow, place her phone within reach, refill her water bottle, or adjust the lighting.
Anticipating her needs in those moments, without being asked, speaks volumes. Breastfeeding can take time, so making her feel relaxed and supported goes a long way.
5. Educate Yourself About Breastfeeding
Don’t assume breastfeeding is just her responsibility. Learn about latching, cluster feeding, growth spurts, and how supply works. That way, when she’s overwhelmed, you’re not just standing by — you’re actively offering informed, empathetic support. You’ll also be more equipped to advocate for her if challenges arise (with family, doctors, or in public spaces).
Check out: The How-to of Breastfeeding
6. Take Initiative With Household Tasks
Don’t wait for a to-do list. Look around and tackle what you can — dishes, laundry, bottle washing, tidying up. Taking charge of the everyday things allows her to focus on healing, bonding, and feeding your baby. Remember, nothing says “I love you” louder than a freshly swept floor and a stocked fridge when she didn’t even ask.
How Friends and Relatives Can Support a Breastfeeding Mum
Breastfeeding might be a deeply personal journey, but that doesn’t mean it has to be lonely. As a friend or family member, your presence, words, and actions can bring comfort, relief, and encouragement to a mum who’s navigating the early (and often unpredictable) days of nourishing her baby. As a sister, mother-in-law, cousin, or just a cherished friend, there are ways you can be that gentle support she didn’t even know she needed.
1. Offer Practical Help Without Waiting to Be Asked
Sometimes saying “Let me know if you need anything” just isn’t enough. Most new mums won’t want to feel like a burden, so instead of waiting to be called on, step in with specific offers:
“Can I come over and do the laundry or dishes while you rest?”
“Can I drop off a meal this weekend?”
“Want me to hold the baby while you shower or nap?”
Small, tangible acts like these are pure gold during the exhausting newborn stage.
2. Respect Her Feeding Choices
Avoid comments like “Are you sure he’s getting enough milk?” or “You should just give formula.” These may come from a good place, but they often add pressure. What she needs most is for you to say, “You’re doing amazing,” and mean it.
So whether she’s exclusively breastfeeding, combo feeding, pumping, or trying to figure things out, your role is to support, not critique.
3. Keep Visits Low-Stress and High-Compassion
If you’re visiting, don’t expect to be entertained. New mums don’t need guests, they need helpers. Keep your visits short unless she asks you to stay longer.
Bring food. Help tidy up. Hold the baby if she’s comfortable. And if she’s breastfeeding when you arrive, let her lead, either offer privacy or ask if she’d like company. Follow her cues.
4. Check In, Emotionally
Ask her how she’s doing, not just how the baby is. Let her vent. Listen without rushing to offer advice.
Sometimes the best gift you can give a breastfeeding mum is a safe space to share her highs and lows, especially if she’s feeling overwhelmed or isolated.
5. Celebrate Her Journey
A thoughtful message, a small care package, or even a congratulatory hug goes a long way.
Breastfeeding isn’t the easiest journey to embark on, so celebrate her milestones with her. It might be buying her flowers to celebrate her one week, one month, or six months of feeding, this shows that you acknowledge her effort.
How Coworkers and Employers Can Support a Breastfeeding Mum
Going back to work while breastfeeding is one of the hardest transitions many new mums face. The emotional rollercoaster of leaving your baby, combined with the logistical juggle of pumping, storing milk, and staying productive, is no small feat.
As a coworker or employer, your understanding and support can make the difference between a mum feeling overwhelmed or empowered.
1. Normalize Pumping at Work
If you’re a colleague, avoid making jokes or awkward comments about pumping or breastfeeding. Be kind, respectful, and inclusive.
If she needs to step away for a pump break, respect that time, don’t roll your eyes, sigh, or joke about “another break.” It’s not a luxury; it’s part of feeding her baby.
2. Respect Her Schedule
Pumping isn’t optional, it’s necessary to maintain milk supply and prevent discomfort or health issues like mastitis. Be mindful not to schedule back-to-back meetings or leave her out of important decisions just because she’s stepping out to pump.
Be flexible and supportive when it comes to her time management needs.
3. Ensure There’s a Safe, Private, and Clean Space to Pump
Employers: a breastfeeding mum shouldn’t have to express milk in the bathroom or storage room.
Providing a designated, clean, lockable room with a chair, table, power outlet, and access to a fridge for milk storage is not just kind, it’s basic support. If this infrastructure doesn’t exist yet, make it a priority.
4. Reevaluate Expectations During the Transition
Employers: recognize that transitioning back from maternity leave isn’t a switch that flips overnight. There may be tired days, occasional late arrivals, or moments when she seems stretched.
Show grace and check in with empathy, not pressure. That kind of culture encourages loyalty and well-being.
5. Consider Flexible Work Options
If possible, offer hybrid work, flexible hours, or part-time transitions. The early months of balancing work and breastfeeding can be intense, and a little flexibility goes a long way in helping mums stay productive and less stressed.
What the Government and Society Can Do
Support for breastfeeding mothers shouldn’t stop at the household door; it should ripple into our communities, policies, and public spaces.
When society, especially governments, steps up to create safe, informed, and inclusive environments, it sends a powerful message: we see you, we value you, and we’re here to make your journey a little lighter.
Here’s how governments and society can help build a culture where breastfeeding mums feel supported, not sidelined.
1. Train Healthcare Workers to Offer Consistent Support
A mum may interact with a midwife, nurse, pediatrician and GP, all within her first few weeks postpartum. If each of them gives her different advice, it can be confusing and overwhelming.
Government health programs should prioritize up-to-date, evidence-based training for all frontline workers so breastfeeding mums receive informed, compassionate and consistent guidance no matter who they see.
2. Invest in Community Lactation Support
From local health centers to neighborhood breastfeeding groups, every community should have easy access to support. Whether it’s a lactation consultant, breastfeeding hotline, or peer group, knowing that help is available — especially in those tearful 2 a.m. moments — can make a world of difference.
3. Support Media Campaigns That Educate
Many myths and misconceptions still surround breastfeeding. That’s why government-funded media campaigns that show real mums breastfeeding, talk about the challenges, and celebrate the journey are so powerful.
When the stories of breastfeeding mums are shared across radio, TV, billboards and social media, we slowly shift the narrative from taboo to truth, from shame to support.
4. Create Breastfeeding Corners in Public Institutions
Hospitals aren’t the only places mums go. They’re in banks, government offices, religious spaces, markets, courts and local councils. Imagine how much easier her day would be if these places had safe, clean, well-marked breastfeeding or pumping corners.
It’s a small investment with a big impact; one that tells mums: “We see you. You matter. Feed your baby in peace.”
5. Fund and Support Certified Lactation Consultants
Some mums need professional help to breastfeed, and not everyone can afford it. The government can bridge this gap by funding training for lactation consultants, embedding them in primary healthcare centers, and covering their services in national health insurance schemes.
When access to expert help becomes standard, more mums succeed.
Other Quick Links and Tips you might need for Breastfeeding
- Fashion tips as a breastfeeding mum? Click here
- Building a shopping list? Here are the top accessories every new mum must have.
- Healthy foods for breastfeeding mums. click Here
- For tips on balancing work and breastfeeding, click Here
Breastfeeding is a beautiful and powerful journey, but it’s not meant to be walked alone.
When we, as partners and friends to employers, government bodies, and the wider community, offer encouragement instead of judgment, make space instead of shame, and choose empathy over assumptions, we empower breastfeeding mums to nourish their babies with confidence and joy.
Together, let’s build a culture where mothers feel seen, supported, and celebrated.