While the bulk of the holidays has passed, it can be especially chaotic when you are nursing a baby this time of year regardless. Family, friends and a multitude of festivities are bound to interrupt your regular feeding schedule. Here are a few tips on how to breeze through the holidays so you too can take part in the fun.
Keeping Track
Stay organized by creating a list of all your expected events and set reminders on your smartphone for your baby’s feeding schedule. It will truly make a difference during the hustle and bustle of the season. Nursing complications are a common occurrence that may interrupt precious holiday time. With frequent feedings, your milk supply stays consistent and helps prevent complications such as mastitis, clogged milk ducts and breast engorgement.
Additionally, we encourage you to prepare a nursing bag in advance with all the items you’ll require to pump or nurse with ease, no matter where you are. Choose to wear clothing that gives easy access to the breast or does not require undressing completely.
Pay Attention to Your Baby’s Needs (& Yours, Too)
Do what works for you and your family. When it comes to pumping and nursing, it is important to stick to what is most comfortable. Normal holiday stress can inhibit letdown, so extra nursing sessions can be a great way to relax and spend quality time together with your baby.
Staying hydrated is an essential part of expressing milk that is rich in nutrients. It is easy to forget about drinking water during holiday festivities due to consumption of large meals and various snacks, so remember to keep up your water intake to ensure a smooth process while breastfeeding.
Sleep is another vital factor in milk production. Between family functions and social events, it can be easy to lose a few hours of sleep to rush and get things done in time. Make sure you prioritize you and your baby’s rest.
Have Fun & Enjoy Yourself!
Holidays, such as New Year’s, are for appreciating precious family moments, focusing on friends and being grateful for your time together. For breastfeeding mothers, this chaos does not have to completely alter you and your baby’s feeding schedule. The most important part is to have fun and celebrate with the people you care about most.
With a little bit of planning and the help of your family members and support systems, this time of year becomes that much more enjoyable and easy to navigate.
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