Preparing Your Feeding Chair
Many pregnant people spend a lot of their time preparing the baby’s nursery - but forget to prepare some beautiful and comfortable spaces for themselves!
You are going to spend many, many hours feeding and rocking and cuddling and holding your sleeping baby in your arms. It’s so much more enjoyable when you have a beautiful and comfortable space.
Choose Your Chair
The classic recliners from a baby shop are pretty hideous, but they usually do the trick. You can also consider a POÄNG Armchair from IKEA, which has a good bounce for rocking your baby too. Friends of mine even have a beautiful Eames rocking chair! Or perhaps you have a lovely old wooden rocking chair that is a family heirloom.
There are many, many options and it’s a very personal choice. But make sure you spend some time sitting in the chair before you choose as some make you slouch. Given you will spend many hours in that chair it needs to support your posture. You might also want to consider a chair that has a high enough back to support your head and neck so you can fully relax.
Add Cushions
There are plenty of fancy breastfeeding cushions, but any regular, firm cushion will usually do the trick. Keep a few handy for propping up your elbow or supporting your lower back. An ottoman for your feet can make things a lot comfier! Plus a throw rug can be really cosy in winter.
Sustenance
Did you know that breastfeeding requires more calories than pregnancy!? If you think you are hungry now, just wait! Make sure you have a water bottle and snacks nearby. Sometimes you won’t realise you are hungry until you sit down to feed, or you are stuck under a sleeping baby for hours. Prepare a tin of some long-lasting snacks ahead of time like dried fruit, nuts, chocolate or muesli bars. And always have a water bottle within arm's reach.
Entertainment
Did I mention you’ll be sitting there for hours? Some light-hearted entertainment can help pass the time so keep your remote or device or book handy. As a new mum, your heart is wide open and you are often more sensitive than usual, so you might find yourself avoiding anything too scary or intellectual. Netflix, obviously.
Books are great, but sometimes your brain needs something lighter so get some awesome magazines for yourself, too.
Audiobooks are also easy to listen to - try free apps BorrowBox and Libby. E-readers are great too as they have their own light built in so you can read in the dark, and there is no sound of turning the pages which can distract or wake your baby. Plus Kobo's can borrow from libraries and I love libraries! Just have something other than your phone handy so you don't get sucked into doom-scrolling.
Pain Relief
The early days and weeks of breastfeeding can be painful. Cracked nipples, mastitis and afterbirth contractions can be exhausting, so have some pain relief nearby. During the early weeks do a wee before you breastfeed as a full bladder can intensify the feeling of those after birth contractions.
A heat pack on your lower back or abdomen can be very comforting. Some people like a donut-shaped cushion to sit on. Over the counter painkillers are generally compatible with breastfeeding- ask your midwife or pharmacist for advice.
There are plenty of things that can help you enjoy breastfeeding. Speak to your breastfeeding counsellor or call the Australian Breastfeeding Association for specific recommendations.
Breast Pads And Muslin Squares
Babies are a messy business!
When your milk comes in you’ll leak like you never knew possible! When you are feeding on one side the other nipple might drench you with milk, and if your baby pulls off mid-let-down you can squirt milk halfway across the room. There will also be spew and poo… so many bodily fluids!!! Keep plenty of fabric handy for mopping up the inevitable spills.