Family and friends - be her breastfeeding village

Breastfeeding becomes easier when the people closest to a mum understand what she needs. She may need time, rest and space to learn, as well as practical help with everyday things.

Most of all, she needs encouragement and support from the people around her.

The early weeks with a new baby can feel intense. Many new parents haven’t spent much time with young babies before, so it can take time to adjust. Breastfeeding can feel easier when a mum knows the people closest to her believe in what she is doing and are there to support her.

Learning a little about breastfeeding, and why it matters to the family, can help you feel more confident in how you support her.

If you’ve had a baby in the past, you may or may not have breastfed. Feeding practices have changed over time as we’ve learned more about how breastfeeding works.

If you’re supporting a breastfeeding mum, it can help to know that:

• babies feed 8 to 14 times or more in 24 hours
• frequent feeding builds milk supply
• cluster feeding and evening fussiness are common
• many babies wake one or more times at night no matter how they’re fed

You don’t need to know everything. Even a little understanding can make it easier to support her in ways that feel helpful. 

You might like to learn the current research about how breastfeeding works and how routines, sleeping practices and settling techniques may affect it.  

There are lots of ways to help – and it’s not just about feeding the baby.

In the early weeks, feeding often at the breast helps build milk supply. Supporting mum in other ways is usually more helpful than offering bottles.

Small, practical things can make a big difference. For example:

• bringing a drink or snack while mum is feeding
• helping with meals, shopping or jobs around the house
• looking after older children
• holding or settling the baby between feeds

These kinds of support can give mum more time to rest and focus on feeding.

Every mum is different, so it can help to ask what would feel most useful.

Emotional support matters just as much as practical help. The early days can feel tiring and overwhelming at times. Encouragement and reassurance can help a mum keep going as she and her baby learn together.

Sometimes this is as simple as:

• listening
• offering encouragement
• acknowledging the effort it takes to care for a new baby

There may also be times when mum prefers quiet time rather than visitors. Being guided by what she needs, and checking in rather than assuming, can help her feel supported.

You may hear lots of different advice about feeding and caring for babies. Some ideas may be helpful, while others may not feel right for this family.

Understanding can change over time, and advice may not always reflect what we know now about breastfeeding.

Supporting the mum’s choices, even if they’re different from your own, can help build confidence and trust.

If breastfeeding feels challenging, there is help available.
ABA’s trained volunteers can support families with questions and concerns. Encouraging mum to reach out can sometimes make things feel clearer and more manageable. 

Caring for a new baby takes a lot of energy, and support from family and friends can make a real difference. Being part of her ‘village’ can be as simple as showing up in small, practical ways.

You don’t have to do everything. Steady encouragement, understanding and practical help are often what matter most.

© Australian Breastfeeding Association June 2026