Almost every picture you see of a breastfeeding mom has a lovely glow; mom is carrying baby in her arms, baby’s happily getting his meal. It’s a picture-perfect Hallmark moment. True, you will have many of those heart-warming moments just gazing into baby’s eyes. You will also have those moments when your mind begins to wander. What am I cooking for dinner tonight? Should I have turned the TV on before nursing him? Can I eat while the baby eats? Once you get used to latching your baby on properly and feeding him comfortably, the truth is you can do a lot of things. There’s nothing physically strenuous on the list of course, but the point is you don’t have to be helpless or bored while nursing.
Once you get used to latching your baby on properly and feeding him comfortably, the truth is you can do a lot of things. There’s nothing physically strenuous on the list of course, but the point is you don’t have to be helpless or bored while nursing.
Catch up on your reading. Depending on how you’re carrying baby, you’ll probably have a hand or two free to hold a book or magazine. A breastfeeding pillow or even regular old pillows can work by arranging them comfortably around you. I used to do this when my baby was still very young (translated: not into the grabbing stage yet) and I finished quite a number of books. I also read aloud to my baby, so it doubled as bonding time too. The baby is now familiar with Nicholas Sparks’ “The Wedding” and Dan Brown’s “The Lost Symbol”.
Sleep when the baby sleeps! You can steal some zzz’s while baby feeds. Before you nod off, be sure that there are no pillows, diapers or blankets surrounding you that can pose a suffocation hazard to the baby. The best position for this is the side lying position.
Go online. Some moms are comfortable nursing while going on the computer. Give it a whirl! I found it uncomfortable for me and the baby, so I stuck to going online on my phone. I check my e-mail, read blogs, catch up on the news, all while the baby nurses.
Watch TV. Consider turning down the volume and turning on the subtitles so baby doesn’t get distracted. Some moms would rather have the room extra quiet or extra dark when nursing, so this isn’t for everyone. But if you enjoy watching television, go ahead. Just make sure baby’s not bothered by the lights and sounds.
Catch up on calls. While baby feeds, you can chat on the phone with your friend. Try using a hands-free device so both hands are on baby while he nurses. Watch the volume of your voice though so you don’t jar hi m from your nap. Better yet, if you see baby’s about to drift off, postpone your call for later.
Talk and sing to your baby. Make the most of that mom-baby bonding by letting her get to know your voice more. This is especially helpful when baby’s having a hard time sleeping. Sing her a lullaby (or two, or three, or ten, depending on how long it takes for her to drift off to dreamland...). Tell her stories about your childhood. Your voice will soothe her, so carry on with the snuggling and singing.
Just close your eyes and relax. This is downtime not only for baby, but most especially for you! Soon baby will be crawling again or running around, so cherish this moment of respite.
Gaze at your baby and try to remember every detail of that loving moment. You can do all of the above, but don’t forget to savour these quite moments. No distractions, just you and the baby. Caress his hair, his cheek. Nuzzle those chubby fingers. Lightly massage those baby feet. Memorize his every feature. Soon he’ll be struggling in your arms, fighting for freedom to go play. Soon he’ll be turning his cheek away when you want to grab a kiss. While he’s snuggled comfortably in your arms today, take a picture of it in your mind. There’s a baby in your arms and he’s getting his nourishment from you. How magical is that? It’s quiet time at its best as you and baby get to know each other, fall in love with each other, over and over again.
Image credit: Pecho y Lectura by Daquella manera c/o Flickr