You’ve planned the perfect outfit. Your sitter is lined up and ready to go. You’ve pumped and have your milk stored in the fridge. You’ve got a plan for how you’re going to navigate the holiday treats and get all your favorites. Mama is ready to par-tay! Let’s go!
...then, life happened. Maybe your sitter caught the flu. Maybe you didn’t have a successful pumping sesh. Maybe your outfit isn’t as magical as you thought it was a few days ago. Lots of things happen. This brings us to our first holiday tip:
- Say maybe.
“Maybe” is your fail-safe. Don’t want to feel like a jerk, but don’t want to overcommit with a baby, also known as life’s most tiny and unpredictable ball of love? Just say maybe. It gives you the space to decide what you want to do. You can plan ahead and then the day can get away from you. Between work, pumping and breastfeeding, and getting yourself (plus, potentially others) ready for a party, you might be happier with a glass of wine and a fireplace (or the Netflix version of a fireplace!) to yourself. Or, you might find yourself getting a second wind and glad you didn’t say no! Either way, take time for YOU and decide what’s best as you approach the moment.
If you’re a planner, like so many of us are, you might be more interested in saying yes then letting folks know if something changes. For those moments, use our second holiday tip:
- Plan ahead...to the best of your ability, that is.
Plan to breastfeed before and after the event you’re headed to as it fits your breastfeeding schedule, or pump in advance if you plan on having more than a couple drinks (remember - nighttime milk is a thing, so if you’re partying at night, give your baby some milk you pumped in the night to help them sleep)
Picking a sitter can be stressful. If it’s your first time, be sure to meet the person beforehand and make sure you’re comfortable with them and they know your schedule. This might also be the time to lean on friends and family who said they’d love to help!
- Eat smart and stay hydrated.
Think about what you’re eating! Especially if your little one is under 6 months, they might be sensitive to things like spicy foods or dairy - maybe don’t have that sixth stuffed pepper? (Or do - if you pumped ahead, of course!) Don’t forget to have water, too! We like cocoa and holiday cocktails just as much as you do, but if you’re planning to BF when you get home, you’ll want to be hydrated and ready to go!
Maybe you’re headed to a family-friendly holiday party. How awesome! You don’t have to think about what you’re going to do with your baby because you can wear them or bring them to hang with the family members who want to kiss and cuddle the cute baby...awesome! Our last tip:
- Rock breastfeeding-friendly clothes so you don’t even have to think about it!
You can do a stylish holiday look or rock an ugly sweater and still be breastfeeding friendly! Our line of nursing bras, tanks, and shawls can give you assistance in whatever look you go for, plus our leak-proof nursing pads will keep your holiday best nice and dry. If you’re feeling absolutely daring, you can go for that one breastfeeding sweater...it’s a real showstopper! (If you could see, us, we’d be winking, we swear!)
You’ve got this, mama! Remember the maybes, plan what you can, eat smart, stay hydrated and rock the breastfeeding-friendly clothes. Have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy!