If you’re anything like me, when your baby needs to breastfeed, you drop what you’re doing and breastfeed. Breastfeeding on demand helps our children to feel safe knowing that their needs will get met, but sometimes doing this means our needs don’t always get met in the process. Many breastfeeding moms have things to do outside of the home, and nursing on demand often means being late for dates with friends, late for work, late for your dentist appointment, late making dinner, late for the family meal at your in-laws, etc.
Even the best moms with perfect intentions and great organizational skills have trouble getting it together all the time. So how do we meet the needs of our hungry needy babies and do the other things we need to do to live our life?
Here are some helpful if not some quirky ideas from a mom who’s been there and continues to be there on a regular basis.
For Moms Who Are Running Late for Work or an Appointment:
Tip#1
Do your hair and make up in the car. This does not mean I think you should iron or curl your hair while you’re driving, but did you know that your car’s heater makes a great blow dryer? Don’t forget to bring your brush or comb. Furthermore, carry your makeup in your purse. Apply it at traffic lights or when you’re stuck in a traffic jam.
Tip# 2
Keep your car stocked with healthy snacks and water. Breastfeeding moms need to eat and drink frequently. If you keep the car stocked you’ll find it’s helpful for satiating your tired hungry kids too. There nothing like a box of raisins or a granola bar to keep kids entertained when they’re hungry or miserable.
Tip# 3
Take your child with you. This is not always possible, but sometimes it is and just requires an inquiry. Can your baby sit on your lap or sleep in its carrier during your appointment? Call your practitioner in advance and ask them if babies are welcome.
Tip#4
Sit in the back seat. If it’s a family outing and you just can’t stop to breastfeed try sitting next to your baby’s car seat and bending over to nurse. Keep your seat belt on! It’s not very comfortable but it will console your baby and save everyone’s ears.
For Moms Who Are Running Late Making Dinner or Need To Do Chores:
Tip#1
Wear your baby in a sling or baby carrier. Not only does this keep your hands free to chop veggies or vacuum (check out an excellent picture of fellow blogger Sally doing just this at Seashells n’ Snowflakes, dated March 3rd), your baby will be comfy and content snuggled next to your breasts. Older babies benefit from observing what you’re doing from your perspective. Have you ever bent down to see the world from your child’s point of view? They miss a lot down there and can learn so much more about the world when they’re in our arms. If you are talented enough you can even breastfeed and chop carrots at the same time!
Tip#2
Sit down. Who says you have to stand to make dinner? Or sweep a small floor area for that matter? Have a seat and take a load off your back and legs. You deserve it! Who cares what it looks like? You can still wear baby or be breast-available for your nursing toddler.
Aside from these tried and true tips, it’s probably still best to attempt to organize your days around the needs and schedule of your baby. And hope for the best.
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Tags: babywearing, nursing on demand
Those are all great tips. Wish I had your website when I was starting out with my kids. I actually got kicked out of Denny’s in Canada for nursing! I was asked if I couldn’t do it in the bathroom? Then they explained to me that it was a “family” restaurant. Exactly.
(Hi, I’m stopping by from the MBC follow me club, looking forward to following your blog).
This was full of great tips!! I’m past the breastfeeding stage with my kids (and I wasn’t able to breastfeed for very long) but I would imagine these tips will help a lot of breastfeeding moms!
Welcome to the Follow Me Club. I didn’t see a follow button so I subscribed to your RSS feed.
I used to sit Nate on a low table in his bumbo so we were at a good height to nurse while I chopped veggies for dinner! Awkward for sure, but it got the job done!
I definitely couldn’t have survived without a good sling. I have nursed through grocery stores, office Christmas parties, shopping malls and dog walks using a sling. It made life heaps easier, plus I got to challenge people’s assumptions about appropriate nursing locations in a non confrontational manner.
Thanks for following me. I’m following your blog via my blogger dashboard and looking forward to more visits to your fab site.
Mel, you’ve been prolific over the past few days! I love this – it’s a clip ‘n’ save for sure. Thank you so much for sharing!
Moms often want to breastfeed in private when they are at a restaurant, etc. Often, they go outside to their car to feed their child, but in the winter months in some locations the car can literally be freezing inside. Waiting for the car’s heater to kick in can take a long 10 minutes or so if the engine is cold. A great solution to this dilemma is a portable car heater that plugs into the lighter outlet. They blow hot air immediately and the car’s interior will warm up fast, making your feeding a pleasurable experience for mother and child.
I hope this helps!