Busy schedules and added stress can often cause disruptions in breastfeeding. Providing milk for your baby is a lot of work and takes sufficient energy. Here are some tips to prioritize yourself and your baby during the holidays.
Practice self-care.
As a mother of a young baby, your holiday plans may look at little different this year. You may want to adjust your expectations. Just because you have always done something, doesn't mean you have to do it this year. If a task on your to-do list is causing you stress, consider ways you can delegate the task to someone else or find an alternative solution this year such as buying a pie at a bakery instead of making it from scratch.
Friends and family may offer to help you by holding the baby but don't be afraid to say, "I could really use your help with loading the dishwasher instead while I nurse the baby or get the baby down for a nap." Most likely, they will be happy to help in a way that is most beneficial to you.
Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season
Be sure you are getting plenty of rest, stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet to reduce your risk of illness. You are already doing one of the most important things to keep your baby healthy by providing them with the best nutritional choice. Additional ways to keep you and your baby healthy include frequent hand washing of anyone holding the baby or anyone that handles the baby's items like a pacifier.
Baby wearing is a great way to keep baby safe and close if you are worried about catching germs from others.
If you get sick, please remember it is important to keep breastfeeding as long as you take proper hygiene precautions like handwashing because your breast milk will provide your baby with antibodies and other immunological factors that can help protect your baby from illness.
If you are a milk donor, it is important for you to reach out to our team to notify us of any illness in your home or changes to your medical history such as new medications. Also, it is important to note that medications such as Sudafed and other decongestants can cause your milk to dry up. Please contact your doctor to discuss the best treatment for your illness.
Your Supply
Moms sometimes experience changes in their supply during the holidays. It is important to stick to your young baby's feeding schedule even if they are sleeping peacefully in grandma's arms. Also, do your best to follow baby's feeding cues to maintain milk supply.
Traveling by Car
Build in extra time for breaks. You are probably not going to make it to grandma's house this year in record timing and that's okay. Always allow ample time on your drive to pull over to feed, burp and change baby. Also, make time for your own nutritional needs. Stop for meals and pack plenty of snacks and water to stay hydrated.
Traveling by Plane
Know your breastfeeding and pumping rights for airline travel. There are provisions in place to support breastfeeding mothers while traveling on planes and in the airport. All fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have laws that specifically allow women to breastfeed in any public or private location. Click here to find the breastfeeding laws for each state. In the United States, expressed milk and related baby and child feeding items are exempt (excused) from Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations limiting quantities of liquids and gels. Visit TSA.gov to learn more.
If you prefer a more private location, the Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act requires medium and large hub airports to provide a private lactation area beyond security in every terminal. Mamava are popular lactation pods in most airports. You can use their search tool to find a pod.
We hope these tips help you during the holiday season! Happy Holidays from our team at Mothers' Milk Bank of Tennessee.
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