Expert tips and all the tools you’ll need to breastfeed through the holidays and beyond.
It can be hard to make time for yourself when you’re taking care of a newborn — and feeding, changing, and rocking around the clock. This is especially true during the holiday season, when travel plans and social calendars kick into full gear!
While it may require a little planning and prep, prioritizing breast care and comfort is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your supply and prevent the conditions that lead to pain and discomfort. So we chatted with the moms on our team, plus our expert circle of lactation consultants, to get their tips.
Read on for more!
Tip #1: Get Smart on Supply
While supply and demand (aka feeding frequency) plays what is arguably the largest role in milk production, there are actually a number of different factors that impact your breast milk supply. These include stress, sleep, nutrition and hydration, alcohol consumption, and more.
It’s no secret that this time of year can be stressful. You’ve got places to go, people to see, gifts to buy and wrap, cookies to decorate, parties to attend… and the list goes on. As a result, you may not be drinking as much water, getting as much rest, or spending as much time preparing nutritious meals as you were just a month or two ago.
While this might not feel like the end of the world, these lifestyle changes can have a direct impact on your body’s ability to continue producing the milk that your baby needs. Stress, dehydration, exhaustion, and nutrition play a huge part in maintaining a healthy supply! Check out the below video for more on the basics of supply from our friend (and lactation consultant) Renee.
Tip #2: Get Ahead of Pain & Discomfort
If you start to feel nipple soreness or breast pain, especially if you’re at the start of your feeding journey, make sure to get ahead of your symptoms and treat them with tools like those in the Find Your Flow Feeding Kit.
Our Soothing Silver Nursing Cups and Cooling Gel Nipple Pads can provide relief for nipples that are sore, bruised or cracked, while our Hot & Cold Breast Therapy Pack can help relieve plugged ducts and engorgement when used cold. Encouraging letdown can also help — try our Hot & Cold Breast Therapy Packs (used warm) or the LaVie Warming Lactation Massager, both of which can keep your milk flowing.
Tip #3: Create a Plan & Get Support When You Need It
A lactation consultant is a great resource for navigating the holiday season while pumping and breastfeeding. They can help you create a feeding plan, share tools and techniques for pain relief, and share recommendations for products that can help you take care of your breasts and maintain your supply. The sooner you reach out, the better!
Creating a plan ahead of the holiday season can also help you stay on track. It can be simple! Here are a few things you may to try:
- Create an updated pumping schedule for travel days where you may not be able to pump at your scheduled time
- If you’re having trouble remembering to drink water or have protein-packed snacks, set reminders in your phone
- Order some breast care essentials and pack them in your suitcase just in case you start to experience pain and discomfort
Finally, a wearable pump like the Willow Go or Willow 360 can help make it possible to pump more freely during the holidays – wherever the season takes you. Hands-free, leak-free, app-controlled, and optimized for milk output, they’re the secret to maintaining your supply without missing a beat (or a holiday party).
Happy holidays!
For more tips on breastfeeding while traveling and on the go, make sure to check out our blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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