After having a baby, many mothers have a brand-new relationship with their bodies. They don’t realize that you should take care of your health while breastfeeding! When you don’t recognize yourself in the mirror, and if breastfeeding does not come naturally it is so hard to focus on taking care of yourself and the baby!
Breastfeeding is not for every mother and baby, but if you decide breastfeeding is for you, we have some self-care strategies to take care of you and your body.
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1. Caring for Your Breasts
Medical News Today notes that your breasts change shape and size during pregnancy as your body prepares to produce milk. You may have noticed stretch marks and more prominent veins, and your nipples may have transformed as they got ready to feed your newborn baby. And now that you’re postpartum, you can feel your breasts fill up between feeding sessions, then get softer while your baby expresses milk.
A few ways to care for your breasts while breastfeeding is to:
Wear a Supportive Nursing Bra
All the stretching and weight your breast will carry may eventually cause your breasts to sag, making wearing a supportive nursing bra essential.
Wear Nursing Clothes
Wearing clothes that allow you to nurse easily will make breastfeeding more ergonomic. You want to be comfortable and sit ergonomically while feeding your baby. It will help with a better latch and prevent back pain or aches while nursing.
Care For Your Nipples
Taking care of the delicate skin around your nipples, which can get dry while nursing your infant, is essential. If you notice any bleeding or cracking, take care of it promptly to reduce infection. Some mothers recommend rubbing a few drops of breast milk around their nipples or a specially formulated cream such as mother love nipple cream to relieve soreness around that sensitive area.
2. Care for Your Belly
Whether you delivered your baby vaginally or via C-section, your abdomen needs support as your uterus slowly shrinks to its pre-pregnancy size. Wearing supportive garments such as belly bands, wraps, and girdles will help along in this process, and they can also help you regain core strength and muscles. Compressing your abdomen after having your baby will help improve your posture and prevent back pain.
And if you want the ultimate in self-care, look into getting a postpartum recovery kit that will include belly binding, an abdominal therapy rub, and some healing meditation exercises to help you bounce back faster. You’ll feel like a million bucks and ready to be the best nursing mom you can be!
3. Care for Your Mental Health
Suppose you’re returning to work after your maternity leave is over. In that case, you may be worried about childcare logistics, pumping while at work, and feel guilty for working. So make sure you prioritize finding a good work-life balance.
Attending to your mental health is essential and can be one of the last things you tend too. You may need to implement self-care into your routine, or It may mean reorganizing your schedule so you have more time with your family.
4. Care for your Physical Health
Make sure you’re nourishing yourself, too. Cooking meals at home and exercising can be extremely challenging when you have a busy schedule. If this seems overwhelming, start small. Try and meal plan weekly and buy all of your groceries once a week. Eat leftovers for lunch the next day and double recipes so you don’t have to cook as often throughout the week.
Implementing movement in your schedule can be as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator to as elaborate as going to the gym four times a week. Walking is a beautiful and accessible way to maintain physical health and support mental well-being, especially during and after pregnancy. It’s a low-impact exercise that can easily incorporate into your daily routine. Tools like a Walk Score map can enhance this experience by helping you find the most walkable places near your home. Implementing movement is challenging, but with time and determination, you can do it!
5. Care for Your Finances
Beyond the basics, health insurance can be critical in managing the costs associated with prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. Without insurance, these costs can be significant. If you don’t currently have health insurance, one option is to shop for a plan on the ACA (Affordable Care Act) healthcare exchange. The ACA requires all plans to cover maternity care, including prenatal visits, labor, delivery, and newborn baby care.
When selecting a plan, consider the premium, deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and the network of doctors and hospitals included. It’s also worth checking if the plan covers additional services you may need, such as breastfeeding support and supplies, mental health services, or special care for high-risk pregnancies.
Having the peace of mind that your care will be covered and that substantial medical bills won’t be piling up is crucial to your postpartum care.
5 Ways to Care for Your Health while Breastfeeding Wrap-Up
Breastfeeding is hard work, so don’t forget to care for yourself while you nurture and tend to your new baby. Breastfeeding and keeping you and your baby healthy is important! Your body has undergone tremendous changes and delivered new life phenomenally. So ensure you care for your physical, financial, and mental health to help during your fourth trimester.
One way to prepare for your breastfeeding journey is to be ready with all the essentials you need. Exercising and eating healthy prepares and nourishes your body, and taking time for yourself occasionally can positively impact your mental health.
Take good care of your health while breastfeeding, momma, so that you can care for your babies to the best of your ability!
Emily Graham is the creator of Mighty Moms (mightymoms.net). She believes being a mom is one of the hardest jobs around and wanted to create a support system for moms from all walks of life. On her site, she offers a wide range of info tailored for busy moms — from how to reduce stress to creative ways to spend time together as a family.
