Images of breastfeeding often feature a mother in soft focus, gazing down in wonder at the baby nursing contentedly at her breast. What the picture probably doesn't show is Dad standing behind them, offering mom a pillow, fixing her a snack or waiting to take the baby back to his crib.

Today's fathers are more involved in raising their children, and they want the best for their kids from the very beginning. While they can't actually nurse the babies themselves, more and more dads are realizing that helping Mom succeed helps Baby get off to the best start.

Rachel Simpson may just have the perfect husband. For Christmas last year, Jamie gave her an elegant red pair of Victoria's Secret pajamas that button down for easy nursing. On the lapel, he attached a beautiful silver pin from La Leche League to celebrate Rachel's first anniversary of breastfeeding. The card that accompanied the gift read: Through infections, pain, sleeplessness, pumping supply problems and some good times, too, you've proven your dedication and love to our son through breastfeeding – congratulations on making it to one full year, and we both thank you.

If it hadn't been for Jamie, Rachel wouldn't have made it to that one-year mark. Originally, they had planned for her to become a stay-at-home mother after their baby was born. When Jamie lost his job during the pregnancy and decided to return to school, Rachel returned to work much earlier than she had planned. Although she hoped to be able to continue breastfeeding, she didn't think they were going to succeed because of the demands of her job and the recurring infections she was dealing with.

To make matters worse, Baby Owen refused all bottles – he wanted the fresh stuff. This is where Jamie stepped in. Home with the baby all day, he and Rachel would text message each other to set up what they dubbed "booby calls" so Jamie could bring Owen to Rachel's office in order to nurse.

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