31 August 2021Breastfeeding is hard work. Think about it — your body is quietly working to make nutritious breast milk to help your little one grow well and strong. Factor in around-the-clock baby care, household chores, and other responsibilities; being a regular mum is hard work, add in a newborn and life can get pretty overwhelming.
As the adage goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. As much as your baby needs you, you deserve to care for yourself too — physically, mentally, and emotionally. We’ve come up with five self-care tips you can incorporate into your daily life for a more rewarding breastfeeding experience and life, so read on!
1. Eat Well
Breastfeeding is a physically demanding job. The alveoli in your breasts are taking proteins and sugars from your blood supply to produce milk. Through this process, your body is actually burning calories. As a result, breastfeeding mummies are recommended to eat an additional 450 - 500 kilocalories each day.
A new baby also involves a huge lifestyle change, so it’s not uncommon for mums to forget or forgo eating a proper meal and drinking enough water.
There’s no need to count calories. In general, you should simply listen to your body. Nursing a newborn will most likely make you feel hungry more often and when that happens, take a break to nourish your body with healthy food.
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2. Set Aside Time For Yourself
As hectic as life may be, it’s still essential to have me-time to relax, refresh, and recharge. Don’t worry about feeling guilty — busy breastfeeding mums are the most deserving of a well-earned break! Try carving out small moments throughout the day just for yourself. This act of actively prioritising your happiness can go a long way in improving your well-being. It also helps boost your mental strength and patience when dealing with inevitably frustrating situations that pop up in your motherhood journey.
A break doesn’t have to be a lavish spa day or staycation. It can be as simple as going for a walk around your neighbourhood, taking a long shower, or enjoying a rejuvenating cup of lactation tea.
3. Look After Your Breasts
Nursing mums may face common breastfeeding problems such as sore or cracked nipples, blocked milk ducts, and mastitis. Looking after your breasts with good self-care habits can help keep you and your breasts comfortable while preventing health problems from occurring.
Our tips for taking care of your breasts include:
- Practising good hygiene by gently washing your breasts in the shower daily.
- Applying nipple cream to moisturise your skin.
- Changing to a clean nursing bra every day or whenever it gets wet.
- Dabbing some of your expressed milk onto your nipples and letting them air dry. Breastmilk has anti-bacterial and healing properties that help your nipples recover faster.
4. Establish a Support System
It’s a good idea to surround yourself with people you can trust and turn to for help or advice. Whether it’s a helping hand to babysit or a listening ear for your woes, knowing you have people to depend and lean on does wonders for one’s mental wellbeing.
Support can come from anywhere: your partner, family, friends, fellow mums, or even online communities. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to seek help from a lactation professional for more pressing issues too.
5. Make Pumping & Nursing Fun
In the first few weeks to months of breastfeeding, you’ll be spending lots of time nursing or pumping multiple times a day. Why not seize the opportunity to use that time to do things that you enjoy? You could catch up on the latest K-drama episodes, listen to podcasts, read a book, or bop along to your favourite tunes.
It’s easy to put off taking care of yourself, especially when your baby becomes your number one priority. But you deserve to put yourself first too! By establishing good self-care habits and nourishing your body with wholesome foods, you can thrive in your breastfeeding journey. Visit our online store to browse lactation-boosting treats now.
