Giving gifts to your wife is a way to show you love and appreciate them. While some husbands choose flowers or chocolate, others have more unconventional definitions of romance. Like this one Japanese dad who chose to give an unusual gift to his wife — cash for breastmilk!
Japanese Dad Gives Wife Cash for Breastmilk on Their Son's 'Halfy' Birthday
To mark their son's sixth month of life, instead of giving their baby a gift, the dad chose to give his breastfeeding wife cash for breastmilk she produced since giving birth.
The mum was touched, taking to Twitter to share their story. In the post, which was originally written in Japanese, the new mum thanked her husband.
According to her, her husband gave her 100,000 yen (SG$ 1,215) to reimburse her the milk she produced, which is almost equivalent to how much formula would have cost them over six months.
As of this writing, her tweet has been shared over 69,000 times.
The Japanese dad gave his wife cash for breastmilk over the course of six months. The amount is equivalent to what formula would have cost them. | Screenshot: Twitter
Breastfeeding Support Tips for Dads (Aside from Giving Cash for Breastmilk)
While not all dads have the means to give cash for breastmilk, there are still ways they can support their wives through breastfeeding. Here are just some of them!
1. Know Your Newborn's Hunger Cues
Just because you’re not breastfeeding doesn’t mean you should not develop the intuition to know when your child needs to be fed. You can even attend a breastfeeding class to further strengthen your knowledge. Not only will it give you breastfeeding tips and tricks, it will help you appreciate and understand your wife’s needs more.
2. Be There for Your Wife's Daily Needs
All your knowledge has to be matched with action. You are your wife’s partner, even through her breastfeeding journey. Nursing your child does not have to be a solitary act. Nourishing your newborn doesn’t have to be a routine task; it can be a loving way for you to bond.
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3. Learn How to Clean Up After Feeding and Around the House
To lighten your breastfeeding wife’s load, volunteer to clean up baby bottles, breast pumps, or nursing covers after feeding. You can also take over certain chores around the house. Breastfeeding takes effort and new mums need all the sleep they can get. Every little bit helps!
4. Go on Diaper/Burping Duty When Needed
Just because your wife breastfed doesn’t mean your baby’s digestive functions are her sole responsibility. Go on diaper duty or burp your baby — even without being asked! This is one simple but special way to show how much you care, by relieving her of the little tasks that can be stressful if they accumulate.
5. Be Positive and Encouraging
Most of all, provide emotional support for your wife. Be her breastfeeding coach, as well as her cheerleader! Breastfeeding is different for every mum and it’s not without its struggles.
Dads, you can do so much with even the littlest of gestures to make your wife feel truly special!
ALSO READ: Dear employers, supporting breastfeeding mothers is good for business
This article was republished with the permission of The Asian Parent.
