Yarning about breastfeeding

Andrew Hood
Yorta Yorta | Kurnai
Andrew is a proud Yorta Yorta/Kurnai man and busy father of
three; 12-year-old Tahlisha, 6-year-old Jarrah and 4-year-old Ella.
All of Andrew’s children were breastfed. Andrew has been
actively involved in his children’s lives right from birth and was
supportive of his partners’ decision to breastfeed. Andrew
believes that breastfeeding is really important for babies, as it
provides vital nutrition during the first stages of life.
Andrew Hood
During my partner’s pregnancy I helped to support her by
attending medical appointments and I watched and listened
to how the nurses and midwives helped my partner to
breastfeed. With their assistance I was able to provide
support at home.
My oldest daughter, Tahlisha, was only breastfed for about 2
to 3 months then put on bottles due to cracked nipples, which
made it difficult to breastfeed. Breastfeeding the second time
around went a lot better, with my son, Jarrah, being breastfed
for about 11 months. I thought this was deadly! My youngest
daughter, Ella, was breastfed for about 7 to 8 months. It wasn’t
as long as we wanted but we were still happy.
Even though I was supportive of breastfeeding, growing up
in my generation I felt that breastfeeding wasn’t as visible
compared to my parents’ generation.
I guess you can feel shame at times but there’s nothing bad
about breastfeeding. I don’t see the shame in breastfeeding, as
it’s healthy for your kid and its normal.
I feel that women breastfeeding in public should not feel
shame. I also made sure my partner felt comfortable to
breastfeed anywhere she needed. I really believe that it’s a
father’s role to support their partner during the breastfeeding
stages. I encourage other dads to do the same. It’s an
experience you want to be a part of.
“Try and be supportive of your
partner breastfeeding as it’s
probably the most important
part of your kid’s life.”