There’s lots we can do to support and encourage the breastfeeding mums around us – wives, sisters, cousins, aunties and friends – and there’s plenty of information, advice and guidance to help us to that, including the National Breastfeeding Helpline – 0300 100 021.

FeedGood.Scot, a Scottish Government website set up to help families make informed feeding choices. And it’s not just for mums. The site offers practical advice and guidance for dads, family and friends. It has real life stories and videos, as well as contributions from dads.

There are many ways partners can connect and bond with their baby, skin to skin contact, changing, bathing, baby massage talking and singing to your baby are all great ways to bond. New babies have a strong need to be close to their parents as it makes them feel secure and loved, holding talking and smiling with  babies releases a hormone called oxytocin in babies which helps their brains grow and helps them to be happy babies and more confident children and adults.

NHSL’s Public Health Nutritionist, Susan Short, says, “Support for breastfeeding mums from those around them is essential to providing an environment where breastfeeding is accepted as being the norm and mums feel confident in their feeding choice. Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed your baby and, as a society, we have a collective responsibility to support breastfeeding mums and ensure they feel comfortable and confident in their choice to give their child the healthiest start in life.”