Whether you are planning to breast or bottle feed your soon-to-be-newborn; the time spent feeding your little one is a prime opportunity for bonding. All too often, we expect to instantly know everything about our babies as soon as they are born, and drop seamlessly into parenthood. Only to have our expectations swept up from under us; leaving us scrambling to find our footing as we juggle the needs of this proverbial stranger in our homes.
Even for the experienced parent, there are hiccups and surprises along the way when meeting our newborns. These frequent feeding needs of our babies, which can be overwhelming, turn out to be the key to finding our groove.
Let’s gently redirect our on-the-go mindsets (that may be frustrated with the seemingly nonstop need to sit and feed our babies) to embrace this time to be still and learn about our little humans.
Whether breast or bottle, close contact (preferably skin to skin!) is crucial for bonding with your baby and helping them feel secure enough to thrive. To do this you’re going to need to have a space (or several) that you will go to with your baby while feeding. This spot is going to need to be comfortable! You will spend much of the first few weeks here.
Here are 5 must haves when setting up your feeding nest
1. Mamma Fuel!
That means bottles of water and durable snacks like granola bars. If you (or someone else) can prepare easy finger foods as well such as apples with nut butters or hummus and carrots; this will go a long way to keeping you fed so you can focus on feeding your baby.
*Calories are more important than strict nutritional foods. Recovering from birth and lack of sleep are huge energy drains and you will need all the help you can get during these early weeks. So don’t sweat the pre-made foods or things pre-pregnancy you wouldn’t usually eat. Try to get plenty of protein, fiber, and water.
2. Change of Clothes: For you and your baby
Accidents happen. You will become very acquainted with you and your baby’s various bodily fluids over the years, as well as the lesson of always having spare clothes/diapers/rags on hand. No one wants to sit in soggy, stinky clothes. Spare diapers for a quick change post feeding (or to help wake them up for a feeding) and a spare shirt for you can make the drowsy feeding turned nap time much more comfortable.
3. Pillows!
Time to get comfy. Wherever your go-to feeding nest is, make it comfy.
“Sleep while the baby sleeps,” is easier said than done for most parents, but rest while baby naps is much more manageable.
So kick your feet up, get those pillows where you need them so you can lean back and relax into the special feeding time. This could be beneath your arms and behind your back for lumbar support, the goal is to be as loose as possible. Release the tension.
As you and baby become better at feeding, you may find you need less pillows as time goes on. You may find out you can get comfortable almost anywhere!
4. A Sleep Belt
Or other soft baby wearing carriers loosened enough for baby to move their arms and head, but still secure enough not to slip down your tummy.
These inventions have been life savers for many families. While the carriers are designed for hands free movement while up and about, the sleep belt is designed for upright, reclined naps without worrying about dropping your baby.
Feeling drowsy during or after a feeding is common not just for babies, but for the parents holding them. So unless your feeding nest is in a Safe Sleep Seven bed, you absolutely want to take precautions to be able to rest your eyes without worrying about baby slipping in between cushions on the couch or armchair, or sliding out of your arms to the floor.
A sleep belt (or loosened wrap carrier) lets baby be in the most comfortable and easy to breathe position on your chest post feeding. Rest their head in the middle of your chest in kissing distance with their bottom down towards your legs. Let them tuck up against you for a sleepy snuggle while you lean back and let gravity (and the sleep belt) keep them secure.
5. Personal Enjoyment
Some days we will spend the entire session marveling at our precious little ones while they snooze or look up with bright inquisitive eyes. Other times we may be restless and bored desperately seeking some diversion.
In a basket, side pouch or drawer near your snacks and water: stash the TV remote, your phone & charger, a book, or anything else you can enjoy while resting with your baby. It’s okay to be bored sitting still for what seems like the hundredth time in one day. You can still make this time special and relaxing for you both by keeping things you enjoy nearby.
If you’re looking for a little something extra, try adding a notepad & paper or your laptop. This is great for jotting down all those things that you think of, but end up forgetting once feeding is done. I’ll also go more into depth of what else this notepad can be used for in a future post titled, “How to Write Your Own Birth Story.”
BONUS!
A Special Basket for Siblings
Stillness while raising a toddler or other young children with a newborn can be laughable (or cryable depending on the day). With young children it can be really easy for them to feel left out, lonely, and downright offended that you aren’t paying as much undivided attention with them as you did before your newborn arrived.
To help temper the tantrums and let your other children know you still love and care for them; have a special basket or box set aside with your feeding nest. They can choose something whenever you’re settling in for another feeding and they need some attention too.
You can have inexpensive or special toys (wrapped or not) to play with only when you’re feeding so they retain the novelty and help make the time special for them too.
Another fun favorite are age appropriate movies for them to choose from to watch with you while you feed baby. You can have popcorn and tasty snacks ready as well. This can really help young children feel like they still have a place in your heart when they can snuggle up with you. Along those lines, having a special blanket they can tuck themselves (or you!) with and maybe nap alongside of you can be really reassuring.
It’s important to remember that even if your other children are acting out, this stems from a desire and need to be close with you. When a partner, friend, or grandparent isn’t available to give them one-on-one time; this basket can become a lifeline for you and your little ones.
These were the 5 (and bonus!) things that can turn an overwhelming amount of feeding into a sweet sanctuary where you are comfortable and able to settle in with your newborn. In an upcoming post I will cover what the La Leche League International’s Safe Sleep Seven is and how you can implement more sleep into your life with a newborn.
I hope that these suggestions bring a bit more ease into your postpartum period, and leave you with many tender moments with your newborn.