Women in general are wicked multitaskers. Moms have no choice but to learn how to multitask if they don’t already, and breastfeeding moms have to do it with a 5-35 lb weight hanging off their chest.
My husband doesn’t understand multitasking. He thinks that if projects don’t receive one’s full attention, then they don’t get done to the standards they require, whether this be cleaning, disciplining, computing, etc. I disagree, having mastered the art of multitasking at a rather young age, I see only the benefits: getting more things done in less time.
That’s not to say that whenever my babies have been nursing I have been simultaneously sweeping my floor and talking on the phone, although I do pride myself on my ability to do so if I want to. The thing is, in the middle of my day, I can never just sit down and nurse. It is rare anyway, to sit and nurse and dreamily look into my baby’s eyes and do nothing but coo and smile while the baby looks up at me with adoring eyes. I’ve had my share of moments of course, but this is usually what I am doing instead – imagine thought bubbles:
I’m in the middle of an activity.”You want to nurse again!?” (Please don’t judge me. I have a voracious nursling toddler) She hops onto my lap and latches on. “Okay, time to think about dinner. What do we have in the cupboards?” (Mental list ensues) “Okay, time to think about my next blog post. What should the next topic be?” (Mental list ensues. Sometimes I start writing it in my head). Or I catch up on phone messages or read a book, to myself or to the children, or do anything else that can be done that needs doing while sitting. When my daughters were smaller I would put them in a sling and nurse them while I made lunch or dinner.
My favorite times to nurse are naptime and bedtime. It feels like I barely have any time to think about anything throughout the day when I am constantly dealing with the crises of a pre-schooler and engaging the children in stories and games and activities until they finally drop into bed at the end of the day, so it is the times I can be uninterrupted, alone with my nursling, lying in bed that I do my best thinking. Whether it is compiling lists or rediscovering who I am or trying to figure out how improve the health of my marriage, it is these important things that finally recieve their due diligence when it’s time for my toddler to sleep.
Your turn. Do you multitask when you nurse too? If so, what kinds of things do you do? Or do you breastfeed in bliss under the spell of your child? Let me know by leaving a comment.
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Tags: Monday Musings, multitasking
I am in the process of breastfeeding while typing this. As this is my third child, I too have to multitask. There just isn’t any other option.
With my first child, there may have been some of those blissful moments with nothing else to do, but now, they are few and far between.
Women are much better at multitasking then men – maybe that’s why we have breasts?
Alayna’s last blog post..FOUR MONTHS OLD
I always feel guilty doing other things while nursing, like that time should be spent gazing into the eyes of my baby. BUT – that doesn’t stop me from doing things anyway. I’m an expert multi-tasker, so I rarely just do one thing at a time. While nursing, I’m usually surfing the web. I also type one-handed when possible. If I try to do anything that makes noise though (like read my other son a story) my nursling will get distracted and unlatch himself. When he was a newborn, I could wear him and still walk around doing other things (picking up toys, making lunch, whatever.)
I do LOTS of things while pumping though. I’ve got a handfree pumping bra, so while I’m milking away I read, work on the computer, talk on the phone, or eat lunch. Pretty much anything I can do sitting I can do while pumping. This is why that Hannah Rosin BS about nursing making it impossible to do anything chapped my hide so much. I do LOTS of things while still providing optimum nourishment for my child.
TheFeministBreeder’s last blog post..A Day Downtown with the Family
I’m often on the computer or the phone while I nurse. When we’re out, I can put her in the sling to nurse, so we keep going. Unless, of course, I want a break. Then I use it as an excuse to sit down and rest.
The oddest thing I’ve done while nursing is dancing at my brother’s wedding. They called up all the couples while my 9-month-old was nursing, so we got up and danced anyway and no one knew.
Reiza’s last blog post..Sunday meme
I spend the time on the internet usually. I type one-handed, catch up on blogs, and research stuff for future blog posts.
Emily Jones’s last blog post..My Old Kentucky Home, pt. 2
I definitely multitask! I have the lovely brest friend pillow so I can pretty much have both hands free from baby girl while she eats! I’m usually on the computer while nursing haven’t mastered doing things that require standing….
I have multi-tasked while nursing since the early days…even though I’ve felt guilty about it from time to time. When she was a newborn, she nursed almost nonstop for weeks. I got a LOT of reading done, which was quite nice! Now that she’s a toddler, I can’t do much of anything during daytime nursing sessions, since she is a MAJOR acrobat, but I too cherish the pre-nap or bedtime nursing…she is still, eyes closed. We are cuddled up together, in a nice quiet dark room, and I get to really think. That’s the time I do all my serious contemplating…absolutely no other time in the day to do it!
Also, I agree (as usual!) with FeministBreeder that I can do just about anything while I pump. I was pumping while I first read this post! Sometimes I’m pumping while I’m on the phone, eating my lunch, and reviewing work documents on my computer. I’d like to see any man do that!
As for the guilt feelings…why DO we feel guilty? Shouldn’t giving our children the gift of breastfeeding make us feel good, no matter how we choose to practice it? This is what often frustrates me about guidelines for “ideal parenting”–sometimes the bar is just set so high that it’s discouraging instead of supportive. To all nursing mothers, I say: Bravo! Go ahead and eat a snack or chat on the phone while you nurse. Just keep nursing!!
My first child would nurse for upwards of 45 minutes at a stretch, and would wake from a dead sleep if I tried to unlatch her. I watched a LOT of daytime TV. I’ve never mastered the art of sling nursing (I blame my short-waisted-ness for that), and I didn’t have any other children, so it was fine.
With my second child I nurse at the keyboard a lot. I’ve gotten very good at typing while nursing. Because if I’m not nursing him, I can’t really be sitting still very much I’m afraid.
Amber’s last blog post..Maternity Leave in the Netherlands
I surf the web, read stories so my older child is involved too. I am also guilty of using nursing as an excuse to catch up on some tv once in awhile. Daughter is older now so she usually doesn’t sit still to nurse for very long anymore
Rachael’s last blog post..Focus Focus Focus
I do my work while nursing, often balancing my son on a nursing pillow on my lap while I use both hands to reach the computer over his head. I’m too impatient for one-handed typing! I also write blog posts or research topics I’m interested in. I do like to make sure I don’t multitask (at least physically…I can *always* make mental lists) while doing the bedtime feed and I really try to use that time to connect with my baby and unwind and take advantage of those lovely relaxation hormones.
Noble Savage’s last blog post..The only one in the room: perceptions of power
I often perch my nursing pillow on my lap and blog away ^_^ I was JUST feeding Gretchen before I read your post. Sometimes I will nurse her in the sling while walking or cooking, sometimes we just lay down together and nurse til we both fall asleep!
desiree fawn’s last blog post..because he knows they’re my favourite.
L won’t let me do anything while he nurses – except for watching TV. I can’t eat, drink, or read – forget it. He’s always been like this, and he is now 2 1/2
Dagmar Bleasdale’s last blog post..Time for My Toddler Boy’s First Haircut?
When Isaac was nursing a lot I used to surf the net and read my email– now that he only nurses when he’s falling asleep or waking up I just relax and enjoy!
I’m also nursing right now.
My six-month-old is a long-and-slow nurser, who’s much more likely to stay asleep if I just let her hang out in my lap, preferably still latched, so that’s where she usually is.
I love my Boppy – with it, I can at least surf/type/blog/work one-handed, and once she’s settled down and heading toward sleep, I can usually prop the boob on the boppy and get that other hand free, too.
I’m a SAHM who makes a few bucks doing freelance web development and online tutoring, so a good bit of my income is actually made while she’s nursing.
And lots of blogging, and lots and lots of blog reading, emailing, facebooking, general web surfing and such.
I wear her lots, but haven’t learned to nurse with her in the wrap; I think I’m a little too big and floppy for that to work – I’d have to be carrying her awfully low for her to reach – but I would love to get that worked out so I can walk around and get non-computer stuff done while she’s nursing.
Whozat’s last blog post..Daily Peep: Does This Count As Tummy-Time?
I quickly realized when nursing my first baby that I get a serious case of the fidgets if I’m forced to sit and wait for her to finish. To help myself relax I decided that breastfeeding time would be “my” time. I almost always go sit in the comfy recliner and pick up my latest novel. This way I’m totally distracted and often let my children nurse for way longer than I ever would have if I’d been watching them. I love to read. It’s my perfect escape and I can read through just about anything. I look forward to the “nursy” time (usually) because I get to put my feet up and read for a bit. It’s a beautiful arrangement. My friends ask me how I find time to read so much.
I have very “nursty” children.
When the kids were younger, I would use My Breastfrend and have learned to position the baby in such a way that would free up both hands. I would then be in front of the PC, playing games, uploading photos, sending emails, etc.
Now, with my two year old, who sometimes nurses standing up (!), I’d still be in front of the computer either blogging or catching up on emails.
Buckeroomama’s last blog post..To Be Needed Again
When Gwen was younger I used to read books and catch up with blogs, facebook, email, forums, etc. I don’t have cable, so I didn’t watch tv, although my hubby and I occasionally watched movies. Now that she’s older (and only takes 5 minutes to eat!) I can’t really do anything else while she nurses since she’s so easily distracted. I enjoy our times of reconnection throughout the day (she nurses 8+ times in 24 hours) and am normally sitting still while she explores my face, hair, and ears with her hands
Kim’s last blog post..Citizen Kid: new store opening on Locke Street!
While I can multitask (and have, for sure) I’m at the phase where I need an excuse to just sit and relax. I often complain that I never have time to nap, rest, meditate, read for pleasure etc. So I’ve been trying to snuggle into our bean bag corner and sometimes my 4 year old joins us with books and sometimes I just close my eyes and try to do some deep relaxation. I guess that’s multitasking! lol!
flowers’s last blog post..Yard Sales
With my first child, I spent my time absorbed in nursing and bonding. Now that I am about to have my second child, I know that there is so much to juggle. Hopefully I can sneak in some sweet time for the first couple of months, but as a WAHM I will probably end up on the computer.
Katie’s last blog post..EllaRoo – May Baby Carrier Give Away
Besides all the at-home stuff everyone else mentioned… I have taken both of my children out and about with me and we have nursed in many places! We have ridden on buses, planes and subways while nursing. We have walked through airports, festivals, zoos, parks and grocery stores while nursing (in a sling). We have sat under trees, leaned against walls and laid down on the grass. We have been at the beach, in the ocean and in the pool. My favorite thing to do while nursing is SLEEP!! I love nursing, especially using the sling, because you are free to grab your baby and a diaper and GO!
In the early days I would read a book or watch movies, now I’m guilty of surfing the net on my cell phone. I sometimes stop myself and force myself to be more present, sing or talk to my daughter… I think we both enjoy that a lot more.
Missy @ The Marketing Mama’s last blog post..Who moved my cheese: Following Mrs. G
Before there were slings or horse shoe shaped pillows, I’d use plain pillow props to keep my smaller baby snuggled up nursing and I could have both hand free. I’d write, watch TV, eat a meal, even fold the tiny laundry…. Once I had a second, then a third I was quite good at multitasking. I could be running around after 2 yr old, babe @ breast held with one arm, prop baby with knee so I could bend over to tie shoes etc… I use these type scenarios to actually encourage moms who feel it is difficult in the beginning… That it CAN become so easy, they can go on autopilot and do many things at the same time while nursing and not think twice about it!
Birth_Lactation’s last blog post..Breastfeeding Barriers
i work full-time during the day, so the first nursing when I get home is usually “nursing bliss” — just me and my toddler reconnecting. multi-tasking happens during the weekends and it’s usually nursing in front of the computer or while chatting with my husband or doing bills.
Jenny’s last blog post..Much ado about a nursing toddler
Since I only have one for the moment, a 6 month old, I do get my fair share of just nursing time. But many of our sessions I am working on my blog, checking email, etc. Otherwise, I can hold him and nurse, pick up the house, eat, watch tv, etc.
I enjoy our bedtime nursing sessions and naptime ones as well. They are the most quiet and focused.
Kim R.’s last blog post..A Well Meaning Husband
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