The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and now that winter is coming to an end, you’re ready to get out of the house again and take baby on some new adventures - finally! Staying on theme with our last post, we’re here to give you some breastfeeding-specific tips to make your time out and about as easy as possible! We present to you, the SPRING SIX for breastfeeding on the go:
- Confidence is Key!
For new parents especially, stepping out of the house can be intimidating in and of itself (Do I have everything? Will there be a bathroom disaster? Am I going to be late? I’m definitely going to be late… etc.), then throw in trying to figure out feeding your child on-the-go and the stress level only goes up… but it doesn’t have to! A big worry today is where you can feel comfortable breastfeeding because, unfortunately, many worry about so in public. Not for long! Here at littlebeam, we are working to try and normalize breastfeeding everyday, anywhere - so much so that we’ve developed a toddler play pillow and accompanying book so kids can be “Just Like Mommy!” All you need to do is have confidence that you’re doing what you know is right, and forget about the opinions of others! You do you!
- Clothing Helps Create Confidence
While postpartum bodies aren’t anything to be ashamed of (in fact, they are celebrated - your miracle body brought another human life into this world!), that doesn’t necessarily mean we are ready to flaunt every area of it immediately. This is where layering comes in handy - tank tops allow an extra layer to cover the midriff and give all of your attention to your child. No need to think twice about what any stranger is seeing if you’ve got layers working on your side!
- Easy Access
A key feature that is an absolute must have? Easy access. From the outermost layer all the way down to the bra, you’ve got to be able to get situated quickly when you’re on the move. When your baby gets hungry, it’s time to act fast. No need to be fussing with any sort of complicated buttons or zippers, etc - Ain’t nobody got time for that! There are plenty of options to choose from when picking out nursing clothing. They key is to find what works for you and go with it! Nursing specific bra? Sure! A simple bralette that doesn’t require any unbuckling? Go for it! Pick what is best for you and your needs and feel good about it!
- Spare!
Although parents know everything (so we’ve probably been reminded a time or two by our own), there will be those unpredictable moments that happen at the worst times. Expect the unexpected and although you don’t know exactly what today’s disaster will be, be prepared for it! Make sure to always have a bag packed with essentials... and extras of the essentials. For new parents this means a change of clothes (for you and the baby), nursing pads, diapers, wipes, etc… you’ve used it once? Throw it in the bag. Can’t hurt to be over-prepared for your first few outings!
- Plan Ahead (as much as possible)
While we know there really is no such thing as truly planning ahead as the parents of a newborn, there are some steps you can take to make the rest of your outing run smoothly. For example, most parents are pretty good at determining a general eating schedule - if you can use that to your advantage and feed before moving from place to place, you’ll ensure a happier baby, happier parents, and a safer transition from place to place. To quote BabyGaga.com, “The last thing you want is a hungry baby in the back of your car while you’re stuck in traffic.” We couldn’t agree more. Get that general schedule down, and try to fit feedings in at the most convenient locations, even if that means being a few minutes late - you’ve got the best excuse in the book!
- Don’t Sleep on the Pump
Of course, there will be times when the feeding just doesn’t line up, and although we think breastfeeding anytime, anywhere should be the norm, sometimes a bottle is just simply easier for everyone involved. Don’t sleep on the fact that you can pump! Use this tool to your advantage, and maybe, just maybe, it’ll even give new parents a chance to have some alone time every now and again! Note: You’re going to want a high quality pump. What you give up in price, you also give up in ease of use. Let’s face it - some things are just not worth the hassle of the smaller price tag.
Happy Spring to all the parents out there - get yourself moving and enjoy the upcoming warm weather with your little ones! And if you’re interested in signing up for a monthly newsletter with more tips, tricks, and all things parenting, click here!
