Four Self-Care Tips When You’re New to Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding offers a wonderful bonding experience for mother and child, but it’s not always easy to get started: a baby can have difficulties with latching on or sucking, and Mum can feel stressed out and isolated. So, here are four self-care tips from Rising Motherhood that will make you and your baby more comfortable while breastfeeding.

Turn Your Home Into a Cozy Sanctuary

In the beginning, breastfeeding can be stressful, so it’s a good idea to prepare your home and turn it into a healthy, healing, and positive space before Baby arrives. Start by getting rid of bad energy in the house. Get rid of clutter by selling, donating, recycling, or throwing away the things you don’t need or want anymore: you’ll need the extra space later for all your new baby gear, so doing the work now will make things easier when you bring home your newborn. Freshen your home, clean off the dust that can trigger allergies, and wash your windows to bring more natural light into your living space. All this prep work will help you feel more relaxed post-partum.

While you want to be comfortable in your own home, you should also get out of the house for your physical and mental well-being. Spending time in nature can help elevate your mood, which can be an issue after birth, as many women experience postpartum depression. If you live in an area with a high walk score, take the opportunity to go on daily walks with your little one in tow. Whether you walk through commercial areas, parks, or simply around the block, get outside and get some exercise.

Invest in Comfortable Nursing Clothes 

If you’re planning on breastfeeding exclusively or at least most of the time, buy a few nursing tops, tanks, tees, tunics, or dresses. These tops with hidden openings help you feed your baby faster than regular clothing, and with double front layers to keep your body concealed, they let you breastfeed discreetlywhen you’re out and about.

Buy a few maternity bras that provide good support for your breasts, and make sure the straps feel comfortable on your shoulders. Nursing bras feature easy-to-open flaps that allow you to feed your baby without taking off your brassiere. Line the cups with breast pads to catch leaks: they come in disposable or washable and reusable options and will prevent milk from seeping through the fabric of your clothes, so you can step out with your baby in full confidence.

Eat a Variety of Healthy Foods

A healthy diet during and after pregnancy is good for you and for your baby – even more so if you’re planning on breastfeeding. Try adding more fruits and vegetables to your meals, rotate your proteins (fish, meat, legumes, eggs, and dairy), and choose whole-grain options when it comes to pasta, bread, and cereal.

Be mindful of what you drink as well: breastfeeding mothers usually need to increase their fluid intake. While water is great for quenching your thirst, milk and 100 percent fruit juices should also be part of your diet. Try limiting your consumption of caffeinated beverages, sodas, and alcohol, as they could disrupt your and your baby’s sleep and cause you to feel more stressed out and fatigued post-partum.

While healthy foods are vital to your healing and providing your baby with vital nutrients, you will also require more medical care in order to continue being a healthy mom and caregiver. If you are a freelancer or entrepreneur, obtaining a good healthcare policy can be more challenging. If you can get on a spouse’s policy, take that opportunity. However, if you can’t, look into other options, like the Affordable Care Act to make carrying your own insurance a more affordable option.

Rely on Your Support Network

New mums can sometimes feel isolated, especially while breastfeeding. Reaching out to other new moms and sharing tips, advice, struggles, and success stories will help you feel less alone and can also alleviate some of your worries or concerns. Ask your healthcare professional if they know of any groups in your area where you can take your baby and mingle with other mothers in a safe and friendly environment.

When friends and family members come to visit you and your new baby, let them hold your little one while you take a break for yourself. And if you're comfortable enough to do so, ask them to help you with some household tasks: folding laundry, emptying the dishwasher, taking out the trash. Those little things can make your life easier.

Find Ways to Care for Yourself

Time goes by fast when you have little ones, so enjoy your new baby while you breastfeed. Get rid of all the negative energy that surrounds you, and ensure that you have adequate healthcare for your postpartum needs. Reach out to positive people, and don’t forget to invest in your own comfort! 

For resources to help you love parenting more, visit Rising Motherhood today!