When your baby is breastfeeding, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of this responsibility. Breastfeeding can be more challenging than many new mothers anticipate, and it can be hard to practice self-care when you’re focused on feeding your baby and making sure they’re healthy. That’s why Bliss Planet recommends these practical self-care strategies for breastfeeding moms.
Ask for Help
Before giving birth, you might have assumed that breastfeeding would be simple and straightforward. But you may have discovered that it can be quite time-consuming and exhausting. You may need more help managing your household than you imagined. Talk to your partner about other tasks and errands they can take on, and reach out to your closest friends to see if they can offer any support in areas where you’re struggling.
Organizing Your Home
Simply having a clean environment where you can relax and feed your baby is essential. But as a new parent, you know just how hard it is to keep your home tidy. Ask your partner if they can help put items away or carry out basic cleaning tasks when your baby is nursing – you might need more assistance than they realized. If you have other relatives or friends nearby, you could also ask them if they would be able to lend you a hand in this area. And should you end up with some wiggle room in your budget, you could consider hiring a cleaning service.
Another great way to help streamline your home for self-care is by adding a splash of beauty and style wherever you can. Some artwork can work wonders, for instance. So can FruitFlowers floral gifts, which can serve as a pretty (and tasty) reward for all you do.
Keep Up Family Routines
There’s no doubt that having a baby can disrupt your household routines. Ensuring that your other children still get plenty of attention and care and that they stay on track with healthy habits, will take a significant effort from you and your partner. There are a few things you can do to create more opportunities for quality time, like reading to your children at bedtime, letting your kids help you out with basic chores, and planning weekend excursions close to home. If you feel like it’s hard to keep up with your other kids on so little sleep, making small tweaks to your own bedtime routine can help, like waking up your baby to nurse before you fall asleep.
Use the Right Products
Breastfeeding can feel more comfortable when you have the right tools. Very Well Family recommends using a cozy nursing pillow, purchasing supportive nursing bras that fit your body, and stocking up on gentle ointments and creams that can soothe your skin if it feels dry or irritated. All of these products can help you avoid pain and discomfort while breastfeeding. If you’re not sure where to shop, or which products to buy, ask the other mothers in your life for recommendations. They can point you in the right direction!
Wear Comfy Clothes
Perhaps your maternity clothes no longer fit you – but since you’re breastfeeding, the clothes you wore before you became pregnant aren’t suited for you, either. Instead, you need some shirts and dresses that are specifically designed for breastfeeding moms. Wondering which items deserve a place in your postpartum wardrobe? Mom 365 recommends nursing tank tops, wrap dresses, loose button-down shirts, soft scoop neck and v-neck t-shirts, crossover tops, peasant blouses, and scarves.
Caring for a newborn isn’t easy. As a first-time mom, you might feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water. With these tips, you’ll be able to get a better handle on your schedule and bring a sense of balance to your daily life while breastfeeding.
Bliss Planet is a public charity dedicated to helping people feel their best while teaching the world how to thrive in harmony with people, animals, and this wonder-filled planet. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact us!
