Daddy's Love

by Tanya Smith

I have always had my husband's support and encouragement to breastfeed our son, Kyle.

In the early days of learning how to feed our newborn, there were some frustrating moments and Steven just couldn't handle Kyle crying because he was so hungry. He was on the verge of mixing up a bottle of formula from the samples that were mailed to us before Kyle was born. I kept saying 'No, we can't do that.' And, deep down, he knew that giving him a bottle was not what we wanted, but we also didn't want our baby to go hungry!

In the end, we never succumbed to the urge to give Kyle formula. Since then, Steven has supported me as I slowly worked up to nursing in public.

Looking back, he shared the same concerns and trepidations for me! He has always been understanding of Kyle's nursing schedule. He brings Kyle to me to nurse early in the morning so I don't have to get our of bed on the weekends. He asks me every day if I've taken my vitamins. He always brings me water to make sure I stay hydrated.

In the beginning, he would hold the glass of water up with a straw while I nursed Kyle and guzzled the water (I have since managed to free up one hand)!

Kyle is 9 months old now and is still nursing often and showing no signs of slowing down! As we move forward, we both agree that I will continue to breastfeed Kyle beyond the first year.

I've always told my husband about how terrific I feel about breastfeeding. I know I am providing Kyle with the best possible start in this world. That's the way it always has been--I'm the one nursing Kyle, right?

I have taken Steven's role in breastfeeding our son for granted--until the other day. Steven sent a very touching email to a friend of his who had children at a time when Steven thought he was crazy for doing so! Steven brought me this email to read, because as he was typing it, he said the words just came out and he wanted to share them with me.

These words he never said until now. Part of his message to his friend was that I was "such a great mother breastfeeding him." I always knew how important it was to breastfeed, but to know that he felt that way brought tears to my eyes.

At that moment, I realized that Steven may not be nursing Kyle throughout the day, but with all of his support, encouragement and pride in the fact that his son is breastfed, he is my equal partner in providing Kyle with the best possible start in this world. We make a great team!

Thanks for letting me share this with you. Breastfeeding is so often focused on mothers. I have found a new way of looking at breastfeeding that I never imagined until now.