Working moms have a lot on their plates. It can be hard to balance work, family, and self-care. As a result, many working moms struggle to breastfeed their babies consistently. In addition to being exhausted from the demands of your job, you might also be worried about how much time you have for your baby because you spend so much time at work. If you’re one of the many working moms who have trouble latching your baby at the right pace during feedings and between naps in their baby swing, this post is for you!
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Follow these 5 tips to get a faster latch and experience better results with your feedings as a working mom.
Practice makes perfect
No matter how experienced you are as a lactation professional, there is no way to get a perfect breastfeeding latch on the first try. You will make mistakes and feel discouraged at times. Luckily, with enough practice, you can get comfortable with the process and make fewer mistakes. If you’re having trouble because you’re putting too much pressure on your nipples or aren’t using your fingers correctly, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. Your baby will also benefit from the positive attention you give to her. Try to practice when you’re feeling less tired and stressed out, like during your lunch break or after you get home from work.
Let your baby lead the way
One of the most important things you can do during feedings is to let your baby latch on how he or she is ready. This means that you don’t need to put pressure on your nipples or try to speed up the process. If your baby wants to eat slower, let him or her do so. If your baby wants to latch on a different way, let him or her do that, too. Your baby knows what he or she is doing, and hearing “I’m here with you” can only help. Try to relax and take a few deep breaths as you wait for your baby to get hungry enough to latch. When your baby is ready to eat, let him or her feed.
Don’t rush – take it slow and steady
In addition to letting your baby lead the way, slow and steady wins the race. When you rush, you may end up hurting your nipples or your baby. When you rush a feed, you don’t let your baby get a good latch, hold the milk for a few seconds, and then let her take it all back. This means that you are holding your baby back from getting everything she needs. If you rush feedings, you may get frustrated, anxious, or even resent your baby, which can make it more difficult to get a good latch.
Be precise with your hands
Take the time to get a good latch with your baby. Using your fingertips, lightly touch your baby’s lips while he or she is feeding. This will help you get a feel for the right pace and pressure. You may have to experiment a little to get the right amount of pressure to get your baby to open wide enough to get a good latch. Once you find the right amount of pressure, use that same pressure as your hand while you hold your baby. When you use your fingers to touch your baby’s lips, you are helping him or her find the right amount of pressure and open wide enough to get a good latch.
Stay connected to your body
If you feel disconnected from your body during feedings, you may be rushing or pressing too hard. Some working moms feel disconnected from their bodies because they are rushing to get through feedings, rushing their eating habits, or just being tired and overwhelmed. Take a few deep breaths and try to connect to your body as you wait for your baby to get hungry enough to latch. You may want to close your eyes for a moment to help you get back in tune with your body.
Conclusion
As a working mom, it can be hard to get a good latch on your baby. You may have the wrong technique, pressure, or baby position, or even have a sore or cracked nipple. There are a few things you can do to improve your latch and make feedings easier as a working mom. Try to practice when you’re feeling less tired and stressed out, like during your lunch break or after you get home from work. Be patient and let your baby lead the way, and make sure to use your fingers while you hold your baby to help him or her find the right pressure and open wide enough to get a good latch. Stay connected to your body, and don’t rush through feedings.
