Breastfeeding Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts

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By: Kristy Kemp 

Breastfeeding Etiquette Do's and Don'ts

 

There seems to be a lot of confusion on what breastfeeding mamas need to hear and see more of and what they need to hear and see less of.

So I asked my community of 670,000 mamas what they would like for family & friends not to do and what they would like for them to do to be more supportive about breastfeeding...

Do's

1.) Please just believe me when I tell you my baby is hungry. I know her best, and crying is a late hunger sign.. not the only one..

2.) Bring me water and talk to me about adult things! Not about my boobs! And remember that I am listening, even if I am staring at the baby struggling to latch on.

3.) If you see a mom breastfeeding in public, tell her she rocks. Chances are she needs to hear it, and it will make her day.

4.) My mom always told me "Just keep going. The pain will go away!" I'm so thankful for my mom encouraging me through the horrible pain in the beginning. We did it together. The pain left and breastfeeding lasted for over a year.

5.) My husband will burp the baby and hold him and comfort him when I need a break. My baby is a month old and will nurse all day long so it's nice to be able to walk around the house and do things for myself.

6.) I loved it when my breastfeeding was a non-issue. Like everyone went about our conversation like nothing was different. Normalizing breastfeeding at its finest.

7.) Feed me!! Rub my feet. Rub my shoulders, take care of me so I can take care our little one, make me feel like I am not doing this alone!

Don'ts

1.) Don't suggest I go to another room to breastfeed in my own home. If you don't like it, don't come over.

2.) Don't suggest I supplement at night because I look exhausted. I haven't slept through the night in 13+ years, that's why I look exhausted. Supplementing won't help ME sleep.

3.) Don't ask me when I plan on weaning.

4.) When someone is feeding their child, try not to make lots of abrupt or loud sounds that distract the baby because Niplash does not feel good!

5.) Stop questioning if she's eaten enough when she is just cluster feeding before she sleeps for the night.

6.) Leave my baby alone while breastfeeding, it is our moment, our bond.

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Kristy Kemp

My name is Kristy Kemp. I created Breastfeeding Mama Talk back in September 2012. My motivation behind creating Breastfeeding Mama Talk was to be that support system for breastfeeding mothers around the world.