The Nursing Mother’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays
By Teri Brown
Learning to breastfeed may have been more challenging than you thought it would be—for you and Baby! But you finally have it. Baby is gaining, and you have learned to relax. It looks like smooth sailing ahead! But wait, the holidays are rushing upon you. Parties, get-togethers, schedule changes and rich holiday foods are on the horizon. How can you and Baby survive the holidays without throwing your breastfeeding savvy into turmoil?
The Party Circuit
Unfortunately, there may be holiday parties that don’t necessarily welcome children with open arms. Do you have to forgo all of your holiday festivities in order to keep your child fed?
Dr. Michelle G. Brenner, IBCLC, assistant professor of pediatrics at the Medical College of Georgia, believes that a phone call to the hostess might be in order. “Speak with the host or hostess in advance and let them know that you are nursing your infant,” says Dr. Brenner. “With advance notice, it should be acceptable to bring the infant along.”
Most hosts or hostesses have no problem with this as long as you make clear to them that you will leave if the baby makes too much of a fuss. Be courteous and remember that other adults might be taking a well-deserved break from their children.
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
To keep your routine from getting too out of whack while attending the party, excuse yourself as close to your regular feeding time as possible. “Recognize that busy environments can be over-stimulating for you and your baby,” says Dr. Brenner. “Take the opportunity to escape the festivities, to nurse in a quiet and peaceful place. This will not only relax you and your baby, it will ensure good breastfeeding, milk production and prevent engorgement. Any opportunity to maintain a routine will make the day easier for all.”
Dr. Brenner says there are other things to consider before taking your infant to a party. “This time of year is wrought with illness,” she says. “You might be more comfortable finding a sitter and not exposing your infant to other guests who might be under the weather and asking to hold your baby. Keep your stay at the party brief, and return renewed to enjoy your infant.”
Eat, Drink and Be Merry
One of the most wonderful things about the holidays is our chance to indulge in foods and drinks we don’t normally eat. Spicy dips, patés, champagne, rich desserts and eggnog laced with alcohol are only a few of the offerings with which you might be tempted.
While most experts agree that avoiding certain foods because they will make your baby gassy is an old wives’ tale, you do need to be aware that babies who may have food allergies will be susceptible to the food coming through your milk. For instance, if your baby is dairy sensitive, drinking large amounts of eggnog, alcoholic or not, is going to affect him.
Another thing to remember this holiday season is that alcohol passes freely into Mother’s milk and peaks about 30 to 60 minutes after consumption or 60 to 90 minutes when consumed with food. “Fortunately, alcohol is eliminated fairly rapidly,” says Dr. Brenner. “One serving of beer or wine would be eliminated in about two to three hours for a 120-pound female. Of course, the more that is consumed, the longer clearance of alcohol from the body would take. The effect of alcohol on the infant is directly proportional to how much is consumed. If the mother is feeling the effects of alcohol, she should probably pump and discard her breast milk for the next feeding.”
Remember, too, that alcohol and caffeine consumed in large quantities can also slow milk letdown. Moderation is the key.
Critical Family and Friends
Another holiday dilemma is how to handle those relatives who may be critical of your decision to breastfeed. Yes, such people still do exist! Oftentimes, the Aunt Idas or Cousin Gerties of the world really do have your best interests at heart. But they may also feel that your breastfeeding is a critical statement of their own parenting decisions.
Lisy Peters, a board certified lactation consultant for Chicago’s Mount Sinai Hospital, offers the following tips to deal with criticism from family and friends:
- Explain the benefits of breastfeeding. Tell them that the benefits outweigh any discomfort/inconvenience.
- Explain the economic benefits of breastfeeding and the consequences of formula feeding.
- Discuss some of the latest research on breastfeeding, explaining the higher IQ scores for breastfed children.
- Explain that the decision to breastfeed is an individual family decision and tell them that you’ve made the decision that is best for you and your baby.
- Be as discreet as possible, especially in cultures where breasts are viewed as sexual objects.
- Avoid issues where you anticipate disagreement, and don’t start a discussion you don’t really want to have.
- Be energetic and express happiness in your action.
- Don’t complain of discomfort (even if you have any) to people who discourage you from breastfeeding.
If you have particularly critical relatives, you may want to just avoid them all together. “You may also consider missing a few parties for one holiday season in your life,” says Peters. “You have several years ahead of you for partying, but your baby is little only once in your lifetime. Enjoy every moment of this special time with your baby.”
Snazzy Dressing and Easy Feeding
Holiday clothing fashion can be a challenge when trying to maximize for breastfeeding function and accessibility. You may love that little black dress, but you can’t be running to the bathroom to disrobe every time Baby needs his dinner!
You have many options for function and beauty. Pairing a dressy blouse with black pants is always appropriate and easy. Find a cute holiday nursing blanket to cover you and your baby as you breastfeed, and you’re ready to go!
