Breastfeeding Taught Me How to Slow Down: The Mindset Shift I Needed

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After my C-section, I remember lying on the operating table while the surgeons stitched me up, and I simply could not stop shaking. My husband was pacing the room, alternating between checking on our brand-new baby and checking on me. Once they transferred us to the recovery room, I was still shaking violently, but the nurses encouraged me to try breastfeeding our baby for the first time. I was nervous, but the second my tiny baby latched, my body stopped shaking. From that magical moment, I knew I wanted to give breastfeeding my best shot.

Before having my son, I had no idea how much time we would spend on this breastfeeding adventure together. It sometimes felt like my baby and I spent half the day attached to each other on the couch. As much as I enjoyed spending time with my son, I often felt guilty sitting still for hours each day.

I thought back to that first magical moment after his birth, and realized I was looking at breastfeeding all wrong.

Nourishing your baby is the most productive activity possible.

One of the biggest mindset shifts I had as a new mom was realizing that feeding my baby wasn’t something I needed to squeeze in between productive activities…it was the productive activity. In a “hustle culture” that constantly encourages us to do more, it can be easy to feel guilty spending hours each day being sedentary. I certainly did at first.

It’s not about optimizing every moment…it’s about reframing breastfeeding time.

With the modern blessing (and curse) of smartphones, it’s now possible to enjoy a lot of different activities from the palm of your hand (while the other hand supports your hungry baby). Sometimes my breastfeeding sessions are surprisingly productive: I might answer emails, update my to-do list, or place an order for diapers before we run out. Other times, I use breastfeeding as an excuse to slow down. I’ll read on my Kindle app, watch silly YouTube videos, or call a loved one just to chat. And sometimes, I take the rare opportunity to not do anything at all. I just stare at my beautiful baby and wonder how he already looks so different than he did a few weeks ago.

Bonus breastfeeding activity: Actually finish a hot drink.

It turns out 99% of motherhood is microwaving the cup of coffee you keep forgetting about. During these rare moments when your baby is nursing peacefully, enjoy that cup while it’s still hot. (Just be careful not to spill any on your little one!)

Make breastfeeding more comfortable and convenient for yourself.

If you choose to exclusively breastfeed, you may be nursing for two to six hours total per day. You deserve to have as much comfort and convenience as possible while you take on this exhausting part-time job without pay (other than baby snuggles). Consider keeping the following items close at hand to enhance your breastfeeding experience:

Snacks: I have never known hunger like breastfeeding hunger. (It further proves how hard our bodies work to nourish our growing babies!) I loved these lactation bars from Boobie.
Straw water bottle: Breastfeeding also makes you incredibly thirsty, and a reusable bottle with a straw is way easier to drink from while nursing.
Reusable nursing pads + soft bralettes: I hate the feeling of breastmilk soaking through my tops, so in the early weeks when I was leaking a lot I would make sure to wear a reusable nursing pad on whichever side I wasn’t nursing on (held in place with a comfy and soft bralette).
Extra-long phone charger: If you’re stranded with a dead phone while nursing, how will you text your husband to bring you water and snacks? Consider grabbing a few of these extra-long charging cables and plugging them in around the house in places where you typically breastfeed.
Night light/touch lamp: I love this little dimmable orb light for nighttime feeds. It gives me enough light to help my baby get latched, but not too much light that it totally wakes him up.
Hair claw clip: I get totally overstimulated if my hair is in my face breastfeeding (especially since my baby learned how to pull hair), so claw clips are a must.

Take advantage of these quiet pockets of time that breastfeeding creates.

Breastfeeding has given me something I didn’t expect as a new mom: permission to slow down. Some nursing sessions are productive, some are relaxing, and some are spent simply enjoying my baby…but the beauty of breastfeeding is that none of those moments are wasted.

Whether you’re answering emails, listening to a podcast, finishing a cup of coffee, or just soaking in the newborn snuggles, you’re already doing something truly important that nobody else can do for your baby besides you. Seasons of motherhood change quickly, so use these quiet pockets of time in whatever way serves you best.