How to Prepare for Breastfeeding Success this Holiday Season
There are a lot of things that we prepare for when it comes to breastfeeding…immediately postpartum, returning back to work, introducing solids, etc. There are several times in our breastfeeding journey, which we anticipate change is on the horizon. However, sometimes there are hazards in our path, which come with no warning, no caution sign, no cones alerting us that there is a problem ahead. I feel like this is what the holidays can bring to our breastfeeding journey. This often is a roadblock, which has no detour sign, no alert.
So today, I will be your ALERT sign, let you know that there is potential for pot holes up ahead.
I always have to start with the most annoying step first…communicate, communicate, COMMUNICATE. When we get together with friends and family on the holidays it is very common for them (and us) to over plan, over schedule, and before you know it you have left no room for you and your baby to have stress-free nursing or pumping sessions. I find it helpful to share these details with the loved ones you will be sharing the holidays with:
Nursing/Pumping Schedules: Many people have no idea how often a baby eats or have completely forgotten. I find it can be helpful to share the times you expect to pump/nurse so that you and others can arrange schedules accordingly. For example, if you do not share that you pump at 4:00 PM - they may likely schedule for dinner to be shared at 4:00. This will leave you skipping a pump session (don’t do that!) or missing sharing dinner with all your loved ones (but really don’t do that!)
Private Place: If you desire a more private area to nurse or pump, try to ask for this ahead of time. Many people would love to accommodate breastfeeding mothers to the best of their abilities, however, give them the opportunity to prepare a space ahead of time. For example, they might love to offer their back bedroom with a rocking chair, however, if they are not prepared it is likely that they could have thrown all of their dirty laundry on that chair right before everyone walked in. ;) We all have that chair, don’t we?
Feeding Expectations: People LOVE to feed babies. As we can experience as mothers, babies love to be fed and tend to love those that feed them. It might be helpful for you to share with various relatives/friends the ways that you would appreciate them to help you with the baby instead of feeding them this holiday season.
From personal experience, this is fairly easy when you are nursing. Some may complain, but if you do not have a bottle - there is not much they can do. However, with my second son I had become pretty controlling on who was allowed to offer him a bottle. We were going through oral tie restrictions and ensuring that he was being paced fed correctly to minimize bottle preference - I had begun to say no to others feeding him. This was particularly difficult since he was being bottle fed. I’m here to remind you though - you have the right to say yes or no to anyone.
Plan accordingly! If you will be traveling make sure you are planning your pumping/nursing schedules accordingly.
As a nursing mother it will be very important that you are prioritizing nursing sessions throughout your travel. Do not wait till your baby is screaming in the backseat to pull over and feed him/her, but rather make sure you are planning to feed every 2-3 hours. This is important to maintain your milk supply. Some babies love to sleep in the car and will sleep longer than usual - do not risk your milk supply on making it the extra hour.
Another trick is nurse at every stop or whenever available. Even if your baby is not showing strong hunger cues, go ahead and over him/her the breast. This is a way of “protecting” your supply despite the unknowns of your travels.
If you are a pumping mother, do your very best to continue to pump on your schedule. It is so important to continue to “place orders” for your next pumping session. Some tricks are considering ways that will make you comfortable to pump in public such as, pumping in your vehicle, pumping with a wearable, or pumping with a cover, so when a private space is not available you still do not miss your milk removal.
The other things to consider is a breastmilk chiller to protect your milk when away from a fridge. If you will be traveling via airplane or for a long time in a car, I highly recommend purchasing a Cereschill. You technically do not need to add ice for up to 20 hours, but if you want to it is very easy to grab ice from restaurants or gas stations.
Nourish Yourself! The hecticness of the holidays can be very difficult on us. We are rarely eating a well-balanced diet, sometimes indulging in adult beverages, and often not following a good sleep schedule. All of this can cause a strain on our milk supply. A few things I recommend:
Always start your day with protein. Eating a high-protein breakfast will help keep you full and minimize the amount of sugar highs and crashes throughout the day. This will help keep you level headed through the crazies of the day.
Keep a water bottle with you at all times! As a breastfeeding mother, you should always have a water bottle with you. Whenever you stop just fill it up, so you always have water on hand. If you are craving a coffee, soda, etc., grab your water bottle first!
As the saying goes, sleep when the baby sleeps! ;) Joking aside, you are a mother with a young baby or toddler, do not ever feel guilty for taking a nap whether that is in the car, someone’s house, or your house when there are guests. Most likely, everyone around you is getting plenty of rest throughout the entire year - you are not!
If you find yourself particularly struggling with your nutrition, reach out to Nutritional Doula, Chantal Davila and tell her we sent you!
At the end of the day, the greatest reason that the holidays can be a huge red flag for breastfeeding mothers is because we often overschedule ourselves to the point that we are not feeding ourselves or our babies. Take these next few holidays slowly. Breathe. Relax. Enjoy. It is so important that you continue to place your “milk orders” throughout the holidays, so that come 2025 your milk supply is still plentiful!
Hope these tips help you continue to breastfeed into the New Year! Breastfeeding Reborn is excited to celebrate with you this month!
With love,
Antoinette Cornelius, CLC