A Breastfeeding Christmas
Breastfeeding During the Holidays
Christmas is almost here, and you can just feel the anticipation and excitement in the air. Between decorating, shopping, school/day care events, work functions, cooking, baking, and gift wrapping, you barely find time to do anything else. But wait, you are a breastfeeding mother which we all know is an around the clock job. Christmas festivities plus breastfeeding equals pure exhaustion.
Moms who have breastfed before know how time consuming it can be. However, for first time moms, the experience of wanting to make your baby’s first Christmas magical while also continuing to breastfeed can be completely stressful, overwhelming, and demanding.
Nevertheless, there is no denying that the holidays are a special time, especially for new families, so we’ll share some tips to help you make the most of your holiday festivities while also giving your baby nutrient-packed breast milk.
BeauGen's Tips for Breastfeeding During the Holiday Season
First Thing’s First: Plan Ahead
Before children, did it feel like you were able to procrastinate and still accomplish your goals? Well, those days of winging it may be numbered. Planning is a wonderful tool, both personally and professionally. The holidays are a great time to practice being a better planner.
Traveling:
If you are traveling for the holidays, whether flying or driving, make a checklist of all of the essential items you need to be comfortable nursing or pumping, regardless of your location. Check out this article on traveling with baby to make sure you have the basics covered.
Cooking:
Did you recently talk to your mother-in-law and learn that you are hosting Christmas dinner? Holiday cooking can be a big deal, but it doesn’t have to be. Plan out your menu ahead of time, ask family members to bring a dessert, drink, or side dish, and do as much prep work as you can before the big meal. And don’t be afraid to delegate! Have your partner feed the baby and put him or her down for a nap, while you whip up your famous mashed potatoes.
Pro tip: Look into grocery delivery services. When you’ve planned your big meal in advance, you can take stock of what you already have on hand and place an order to have the other items on your list delivered. The delivery charge is worth the time savings and stress of the grocery store.
Time to Shop
Online shopping is probably your best friend. Stay away from the crowds (to keep yourself and baby away from the cold and flu germs) and have all of your gifts delivered conveniently to your door. However, pay attention to delivery deadlines to make sure your packages arrive with enough time to wrap them and tuck them under the tree.
It’s also great to tackle your holiday shopping list at stores in town to support your local economy. Wear comfortable shoes and layers, bring a water bottle to stay hydrated, and perhaps bring a shawl or scarf, if that makes you more comfortable for breastfeeding while running errands.
Balancing Routine and Chaos
Out of town visitors, especially those who don’t have young children, often forget or may not know how important routines are to newborns and infants. Needing to pump and nurse at certain times can be difficult for some people to understand, but you know the needs of your body and your baby. Advocate for yourself. Try your best to stick to your usual pumping schedule. Changing it up can disrupt your supply, and the last thing you want is to have to deal with are blocked ducts and mastitis on Christmas morning.
Pro Tip: If you want to make every pumping session that much more comfortable, check out BeauGen Breast Pump Cushions and get ready for a treat!
‘Tis the Season for Free Babysitters
It can feel chaotic around the holidays with disrupted routines, extra visitors, and additional responsibilities. Go ahead, embrace the chaos and enjoy spending time with family and friends from near and far.
Don’t forget to take advantage of free babysitters. Out-of-town relatives and family love to spend quality time with baby while you finish wrapping presents, grab a drink with friends, go on a much-needed date night with your partner, or take a nap!