Holiday Weaning?

Yes, it's a thing. The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year with moms feeling pulled in many, many different directions - cooking, planning, buying gifts, traveling, coordinating - and that's in addition to the usual daily tasks of childcare, meal-planning, cleaning, and general household upkeep.

Needless to say, moms can feel overwhelmed during the holidays. It's easy to try to hold baby off from feeding so you can finish your holiday baking or hand baby off to a visiting relative so he or she can enjoy some baby snuggles (because really - who turns down baby snuggles??). Or maybe Aunt Josie offers to give baby a bottle so you can get some rest or clean the house. Perhaps there's a holiday party you want to go to. All of these activities, while they seem harmless, if done repeatedly may inadvertently send baby a message that he's being put off or getting his meals from another source. Baby may start to seem less interested in breastfeeding or possibly even go on a nursing strike. Moms may interpret the lack of interest in breastfeeding as baby starting to wean, but that's most likely not the case. It's important to keep breastfeeding up during the busy holidays and maintain that bond with your baby.  

In addition to making sure baby's needs are met, continuing to feed frequently will help ensure that moms don't get plugged ducts or mastitis (both of these are especially common in the busy holiday season!).  

Here are 5 tips to help prevent accidental holiday weaning:

1. Wear baby - if baby is close to you and you are able to breastfeed in a carrier then you can remain hands-free to bake cookies, do your last minute shopping, or plan for visiting relatives. There's a local babywearing chapter that offers free meetings and can help with safe babywearing.  
2. Plan for lots of stops if you're traveling - If you are driving to a relative's house, plan your route so that you can be sure to stop frequently and breastfeed safely.  Also, be sure to add in extra time if you need to be there at a specific hour.  You know that trip that usually takes 3 hours? Well, with a baby, toddler, or even older kids - I would plan for at least 5 to account for breastfeeding stops, potty breaks, pulling over to grab a dropped toy for the 10th time, extra diaper changes (because you know that stop where you just fed and changed baby?) Well, of course baby will have a blowout 15 minutes after you're back on the road!
3. Bring baby to your party - if it's appropriate, bring baby along so you can breastfeed when baby is hungry.  If you are babywearing, she may sleep through much of the event.  If baby is older use it as an excuse to dress baby in his or her finest.  Don't worry about keeping baby up late -- they keep us up all the time! Just bring baby along and enjoy!  
4. Take a break from the festivities - this is one that I used when my youngest was small.  We were visiting family and *I* needed some time alone so I excused myself into a quiet room so I could feed her. I could've breastfed in front of the family, but personally, I needed a break, so I created my own "lactation room" where I could have some peace and quiet!  < perfect for you introverts out there!
5. Say No - as moms we like to do it all.  It is absolutely ok to tell someone that you aren't able to bake an extra batch of cookies or participate in a neighborhood gift exchange.  Your baby is only a baby for a short time and ensuring her needs are met are the most important. Everyone and everything else can wait. ​