Breastfeeding Stress And Boredom

Breastfeeding stress reduction is key, your milk supply depends mostly on your mood. When moms stress their breast milk supply usually decreases dramatically. Also, some studies even show that a defective let down reflex is also caused through stress.

Breast feeding in itself is calming. The hormone prolactin is released during breastfeeding which gives mom a feeling of tranquillity.

So now instead of giving up on breastfeeding, let's look at some ways to control the breastfeeding stress and make life easier for you and baby.

How to lessen breastfeeding stress

- Sometimes it helps to feel baby's skin, cuddle with him or even sing to him…this will help with milk flow and also help both of you relax.

- Have a snack before breastfeeding. You must care for yourself first before you can see to baby. A mommy that is dehydrated and that doesn’t eat healthy is more prone to anxiety. Good snacks to have while breastfeeding: Whole grains, vegetable and proteins (Breastfeeding diet guidelines)

- Keep distractions low. Keep a special place where you breastfeed baby, where it is calm and peaceful.

- A warm shower can calm you and will also assist with milk flow.

- Sometimes getting yourself busy with something else during breastfeeding can help you relax. Some suggestions are below

- If you and baby are not comfortable throughout breastfeeding you will both feel fairly stressed out afterwards, physically and emotionally…read more on breastfeeding positions here

- There are herbs that can be taken to calm you and baby that are safe during breastfeeding (Herbs and breastfeeding)

- Sleep. Getting at least eight hours of sleep daily will decrease stress tremendously.

- Breastfeeding and exercise. Stay active and get those endorphins pumping! Endorphins released whilst exercising will create a feeling of well-being.

- Unwind. Deep breathing, meditation, massage therapy and yoga can help with relaxation.

- Talk to your family and friends. Let them know how you’re feeling. Or write down your thoughts.

- Get yourself a hobby, find something that you enjoy doing...more on this below

- Read more on breastfeeding and smoking here

Breastfeeding boredom

Breastfeeding can become a full-time job, and sometimes you might feel like all you ever do is breastfeed. It’s okay to want some time for yourself, you deserve it!

Mom can use a breastfeeding sling to free up her hands during breastfeeding, or lie down. But once moms get accustomed to breastfeeding it becomes easier to sit and breastfeed without holding baby especially when baby gets a bit bigger and starts holding on to the breast himself.

There are actually quite a few things you can do while you are breastfeeding…

• Read – Reading while lying down is actually really easy, this is an obvious choice, but most people don’t give it a second thought. Reading something can really make the time go by quickly. If you don’t like reading you can always get yourself an audiobook.

Ebook suggestions: Malama. Is A Spiritual Novel About A Woman Who Experiences Her Body As Energy And She Uses This Ability To Get In Contact With The Humpback Whales Of Hawaii. Together They Find Ways To Persuade The Whalers To Stop The Whaling. Ebooks From Dlsij Press. EBooks (fiction And Non-fiction In A Variety Of Formats).

• Listen to music – This can be enjoyable for both you and baby.

• Plan ahead – Make a shopping list or plan for your next holiday. Think of all the chores that need to be done and then forget about them when baby has finished nursing! ;-)

• Eat – Make this time the time for some healthy snacks like fruit or nuts

• Start your own website like this one, , start your own blog , play games online – Make sure you are comfy

• Watch television – watch a good movie or your favorite program

• Get yourself a play station – These games can really make time fly and its fun

• Take up a hobby like learning how to write a novel or actually finishing a novel you have already started.

• Pray – Sometimes our lives are so busy that we hardly ever get time to pray for our children and husbands.

• Groom baby – Cut baby’s nails, clean baby’s ears and nose etc.

• Start scrapbooking

• Phone family or friends

• If you have older kids you can chat to them or play some board games

• Or you can just watch the cute videos on this page

Many moms feel that they want to give up on breastfeeding after a while due to the many different difficulties they might be experiencing during breastfeeding, but can I please encourage you to read our page on the benefits of breastfeeding , not just for your baby, but for your sake too.

Other pages on “breastfeeding problems” related to breastfeeding stress

- Post partum depression

- Breastfeeding diet guidelines

- Breastfeeding positions

- Inspirational breastfeeding stories

- Dealing with breastfeeding criticism 

- Calming herbs that are safe to take during breastfeeding

- Cluster Breastfeeding

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