7 Essential Tips to Make Nursing Easier During the Holidays
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Ah, the holidays. We have fond memories of past years, but when we’re in the thick of it, they can be really hectic. If you are nursing a little one this season, here are some tips to make breastfeeding during the holiday hustle and bustle easier.
1. Don’t forget to nurse
Believe it or not, it’s easy to miss a feeding if you aren’t paying attention to the time, especially when you are out visiting family or have company over your home. You’ll look at the clock and go, “Oh! Bella should have eaten by now.” A delayed feeding won’t cause any harm, but it’s best to keep things on schedule to keep little ones relaxed.
2. Make sure to get your rest
If you have an active holiday schedule, it can be easy to forgo sleep in order to get things done. Maybe you have shopping to do, cookies to bake, or caroling to do. Everything should take a back seat to your (and your baby’s health). Sleep is an important part of your milk production.
3. Watch your alcohol intake
Lift your glass for a holiday toast, enjoy a few sips, and be careful not to over-indulge. While it’s not necessary to abstain from alcohol entirely, many women find their alcohol tolerance changes after having a baby; if you’ve begun to feel the effects of alcohol, chances are your little one will too. If you can’t bear the thought of pumping and dumping, you might want to avoid drinking altogether.
4. Always bring everything you need
You might think, “I don’t need to bring my nursing pillow to Grandma’s. I’ll just hold Bella up,” but five minutes in and your arm is aching and you want your pillow. It’s less of a hassle to just bring everything you need, like your pillow, a wrap, any specialty nursing clothing, and of course your LatchPal.
5. Drink plenty of water
Water is an essential part of producing milk, so keep your intake up. Those here-and-there cookies or big meals may fill you up enough so you don’t think about your hydration, so write a reminder on your hand or bring a water bottle if you have to.
6. Prepare to nurse outside your home
You may feel anxious about breastfeeding away from home, just remember, you’ll be surrounded by family and friends who want you to feel confident and comfortable. When it’s time to feed your child, you have a variety of options, consider: 1) Nursing publicly, it’s just a breast 2) Breastfeeding in private where you and your baby can relax 3) Nursing in public with a wrap, blanket, and LatchPal for added privacy. Whatever you choose, come prepared with your nursing necessities and you’ll do great!
7. Busy/noisy party? Expect to nurse more
When little babies are exposed to lots of people, sounds, smells and sights, they can become overstimulated. You might notice your child wants to nurse more often when you are in a busy place. This is completely normal.
How do you handle holiday breastfeeding? Tell us on Facebook.
Written by Melissa LaHann, Founder and CEO of Happy Fig, LLC
Like many moms before her, Melissa cradled her hungry, crying baby as she clumsily adjusted her bra and sat uncomfortably holding up her shirt. Before she knew it, her baby was squirming, her shirt was falling, and the nursing session was interrupted. She needed a better solution, so she created LatchPal, the first nursing clip of its kind.
LatchPal is a breastfeeding shirt clip that holds up a mother’s shirt during breastfeeding. It eliminates shirt re-positioning and feeding disruptions, and helps a mom nurse hands-free in comfort to maximize milk flow. LatchPal was designed with moms in mind. The multi-use solution only requires one hand to latch. It’s a must-have breastfeeding accessory and essential for post-partum moms, pumping moms, and nursing in public.
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