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How To Work From Home With Kids (11 tips For actually getting work done at home with a baby or toddler)

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The Best Tips For Working From Home With Baby

If you’re here, you might be asking yourself “how do you stay sane when working from home with children?”

Or:

“How do moms work from home anyway??”

I’ve been working from home for about a year and a half. It’s been… challenging. But also rewarding. And I finally feel like we’ve hit our groove!

Working from home with toddlers (or babies) is never going to be perfect. Some days will work out so well you think you should sell your secret!

Other days? You’ll do the exact same things you did on the perfect day and it just won’t work out.

That being said there are still some things you can do to make working at home with kids go somewhat smoothly, like going by a realistic schedule for WAHM’s!

Click the image to download your free printable WAHM schedule:

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure at the bottom of the page.

Have A REALISTIC Daily Schedule

It took me so long to learn this. Too long. Don’t make this mistake- if you are wanting to work from home, have a daily WAHM schedule. It should be very simple. 

It helps to have time scheduled out specifically for your children so that when you tell them it’s for you to get some work done, they are much more able to accept that. 

I also found that without one, I was wasting an insane amount of time thinking about what needed to get done but not doing it. Now, when we look at the time we know what we should be doing- whether that is eating, free play, clean up or quiet time. 

Kids NEED structure. It’s so good for them! And if I tell them something is on the schedule, they are happy to do it! (usually…)

We change our schedule to what’s needed. Sometimes naps come earlier, sometimes we’re all grumpy as shit and the schedule gets tossed to the wind while we all sit on the couch and they watch cartoons while I type on my laptop.

RELATED: The Best SAHM Schedule (with a free printable!)


Have Special Toys For When You’re Working

Keep a special basket of toys that only comes out when you’re doing work so that they’re ‘new’ and exciting!

You can tailor this to any age- with my 1.5 year old I would use simple toys that she can play with by herself or make a sensory bin. (Sensory bins can be SO simple- dump a bunch of pom poms or dried beans into a big container. Have your toddler scoop the pom poms with a big serving spoon into kids cups for a fun and simple motor activity!)

My 6 year old has special activity books (like these scratch and sketch art books).

RELATED: 21 Super Easy Toddler Activities (to keep mama sane)


Communicate

Make sure your children understand that you will be spending time with them but you will also be working. It’s important that they know and (try) to respect this. This is hard with very small kids but it’s still important to communicate what you can about it.

Someone I know mentioned that they wear a hat or a crown to signify that mom is working and to leave her alone if possible.


Hire A Babysitter Or Invest In A Small Amount Of Daycare

It took me so long to be okay with sending my kids to daycare 2 times a week for a few hours. I just didn’t think it was okay or that I’d failed being a SAHM for some reason.

Which is totally ridiculous.

Having a break from your kids and them having a break from you is good for everyone. It gives you more patience when you’ve had an uninterrupted break and time to miss them!

If you don’t want to actually bring them somewhere, hire someone to come play with them in your home while you work for an hour or two!


RELATED: Ways To Beat Mom Burn Out

Get Outside, Move Around and Eat Some Healthy Food

Make sure you’re all taking breaks, moving around and getting some fresh air. This can do wonders for everyone and really can help you work better as well.

Healthy, protein rich snacks can help everyone stay happy and satisfied.

RELATED: 12 Legit Jobs For SAHM’s


Screens Are Not The Devil Incarnate

My kids watch screens. Sometimes they are watching educational shows and sometimes it’s Paw Patrol or My Little Pony. They play educational games on the iPad. They draw or color on the iPad.

There are days where we hardly have a screen on and there are days where I wish I could tell you the screens were on for under 3 hours but they weren’t.

Sometimes I think about my grandma when I’m feeling guilty. She had 4 young kids, a dairy farm and relied on food from the garden. 

I KNOW for a FACT that if she could have had her kids SAFELY watching a screen sometimes while she cooked, cleaned, milked cows and tended the garden- she WOULD HAVE.

Sometimes, you need to ask yourself if you’d rather spend the next hour battling 3 kids to be quiet, not fight and not hurt themselves or let them watch something. 

RELATED: Sensory Activities For Toddlers


Take Advantage Of Nap Times

Things are changing in our house. Instead of 2 kids sleeping at nap time, now I have one. I still utilize the time where she sleeps to have my other children doing something quietly so I can get some work done. 

If your children still nap, use that time wisely!


Baby Wear

If you are still in the new baby phase, you might want to invest in a wrap. 

I always used a fabric wrap like this one for when they are still tiny. This was always one of my favorite parts of having a newborn- being able to wrap them in a fabric wrap safe and snug and cuddling you but you still get your hands free to do other things if you need.

As they grow, I switch to a sturdier wrap that will last till toddlerhood. This wrap was by far our favorite sturdy wrap- it’s a super reasonable price, lasted through 2 kids and is still going strong!

Baby wearing is so good for your baby and allows you to have your hands free. I also found it helped them to sleep longer than just putting them down because they’re warm, cozy and listening to your heartbeat!


Enlist The Help Of Your Partner

If you’re working from home and your partner isn’t, you need to figure out times that you are ‘working’ while they have the kids. 

My husband and I have started designating the hour after he gets home work time and usually on the weekends we figure out time blocks for that too!

Work In The Evening 

I know some people may not want to do this for certain reasons but seriously- sometimes this is the ONLY time I get to work on things. 

Being a SAHM means that your kids come first. Sometimes there are illnesses, accidents, tired kids or a shitload of housework. And sometimes that means that you don’t get a lot of work done during the day.

Bedtime is a GREAT time to get some stuff done! I started embracing that a long time ago and love it because if I ever feel frustrated that I’m not getting enough done I can console myself with the fact that at least I’ll have an hour or two in the evening.

RELATED: How To Make $5000+ Per Month With No Special Skills


Let Go Of Your Expectations

I know a lot of you reading this may be here because you’re wondering specifically how to work from home with kids while under quarantine or during a pandemic.

The very first thing you should do is look at your expectations like they’re balloons tied to strings that you have to carry around all day while you’re trying to do things. 

Are you really going to hold on to them and do things one handed because you just can’t let them go?

Go outside and release your expectations into the sky and let them fly away.

Nothing is going according to plan right now. We’re all just trying to keep our heads above water.

Your kids do not need 6 hours of school a day. They do not need a rigid schedule that is not allowed to be broken. And you don’t need that either!

You need grace, love and whatever sense of humor you can muster. 

More Stay At Home Mom Tips:

HOW TO WORK FROM HOME WITH KIDS

how to work from home with kids/work at home mom tips

Breastfeeding Tips For New Moms

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We’re on baby number 3, she’s 6 months old and the breastfeeding this time around has been a dream! When I had my first baby, not so much.

My first baby had:

  • tongue tie
  • thrush
  • trouble latching from the two mentioned above

As a mom, I had:

 

Breastfeeding a newborn is surprisingly difficult. Milkology is offering a short class that guarantees you’ll be breastfeeding like a pro in 90 minutes! So, if you’re short on time but need some help with your breastfeeding game- this class is for you.

Breastfeeding tips for new moms:

EXPECT THAT IT WILL BE PAINFUL

(At first, but that will go away as you both learn)

Breastfeeding is a HUGE learning curve. You should be completely committed to breastfeeding so that you stay with it. I think it takes mothers by surprise how intense it is, how raw and real and painful it can be.

Especially in those first few weeks.

That being said, OF COURSE there are reasons to stop, I do not want to discount that and it is so important you do what’s best for YOU and YOUR BABY.

It’s important to stress here that most of us believe we’re just gonna sail into breastfeeding like we’re breastfeeding goddesses that won’t have a single issue…

and while YOU ARE a breastfeeding goddess, you are one that will need to learn this new skill. Just like diaper changes, swaddling and baby wearing, it takes-

PRACTICE.

Don’t give up!

I had *almost* forgotten the pain of breastfeeding until my 3rd was a couple days old and the milk really started to come in. Your nipples are not used to being suckled on and they will be sore and may crack (this is what I’ve used every baby), no matter how many babies you have had.

The good news?

It gets better.

Oh hell yeah!

Suddenly you realize that you just fed your baby and it didn’t hurt! 

And honestly, it seems like an eternity when you are in the thick of it, but by roughly 6 weeks (usually sooner) your breasts will have evened out with production and the cracked and sore nipples will have cleared up.

RELATED: Breastfeeding Benefits

TRY A NURSING PILLOW

Being able to have your baby at the right height and easily access your breasts without killing your back is CRUCIAL during those first few months. Using a nursing pillow with my first two children really was extremely helpful.

This is a great nursing pillow to start with because it’s sturdy and even has a strap so that it won’t slip around.

You can grab a FREE nursing pillow by using the code NEWMOMMA20 but please be aware that they aren’t as good quality.

If this is your first (or second!) baby, grab a nursing pillow. They‘re soooo freaking helpful.

Also fun to use the nursing pillow to prop your baby up in bed before they can sit up by themselves!

BE AWARE OF TONGUE TIE

My first baby had a hell of a time latching. She just couldn’t quite do it and it was excruciatingly painful. After 24 hours in the hospital, they whisked her away and made a tiny cut to help with the tongue tie symptoms, which are:

  • difficulty lifting the tongue to roof of mouth or side to side
  • trouble sticking the tongue out past gums
  • a tongue that appears notched or heart shaped when stuck out
  • difficulty latching properly

If breastfeeding is unbearable, your baby might have tongue tie. It will be painful at first, but if it is so painful you are crying at the thought of a feed, look into tongue tie.

(Disclaimer: You may cry when they take your baby away to do this. I was absolutely heartbroken, but it IS worth it, for you and for your sweet baby.)

RELATED: How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding (without affecting your milk supply)

BE AWARE OF THRUSH

My first two babies had thrush, almost immediately following the birth. This is usually because you’ve had antibiotics during your pregnancy or labor. Or you’re prone to yeast infections. I was lucky enough to have antibiotics during both pregnancy and labor with both children. (This is what to take after antibiotics to build your immune system back up)

Thrush can cause difficulty feeding and irritability in your baby.

Symptoms are as follows:

  • white patches on tongue, roof of mouth or inside of cheeks
  • redness around the patches
  • corners of the mouth may crack
  • patches of white that look like milk but can’t be wiped away

Luckily, it is easily treated. Just make sure if you are treating your baby, you are also getting yourself examined because mom and baby can pass it back and forth between nipple and mouth. No big deal, just make sure you are both treated at the same time!

RELATED: No BS Pregnancy Essentials (for every trimester)

CHECK INTO D-MER

Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex.

This is something I wish someone had told me about sooner.

When I breastfed my first daughter, right before my milk would let down, I would get some crazy feelings. Feelings like-

  • unbearable homesickness
  • deep, aching sadness
  • being totally unworthy
  • a feeling of just being sick to the stomach, almost like when you realize you’ve done something shameful and the pit of your stomach drops.

It took me a long time before I would openly talk about it with anyone. And when I did,  I realized that MANY other mothers experience something like this.

Although there isn’t much in the way of treatment, just knowing that what you are experiencing is a chemical reaction and that there is nothing WRONG with you can help you get a serious handle on it.

CO-SLEEP WITH YOUR BABY

Imagine co-sleeping next to your baby and feeding them without getting up, sitting up, WAKING UP.

It’s a (sleeping mom’s) dream come true!

Not to mention, we are biologically meant to sleep with our precious babies.

It’s easy to quickly assess how they are doing, check their temperature or breathing and make sure nothing is obstructing their face all without having to wake up and run to the crib or another room.

BE PREPARED FOR PLUGGED DUCTS

Plugged ducts are seriously not fun. You’ll know when one of your breasts starts to feel hot to the touch, is red and has sore spot or lump.

It’s important to keep breastfeeding as often as possible to try to unplug the duct. Applying warm compresses and massaging during breastfeeding can help.

A hot shower and a gentle massage of the plugged duct has helped me more than a few times!

Sometimes it’s hard to distinguish a plugged duct from…

MASTITIS

Mastitis is different from a plugged duct because it is an infection, usually accompanied by a fever.

Although you may need to take antibiotics, (don’t mess around, if you need to take them, please do and don’t feel guilty about it) usually mastitis will clear up in 48 hours and they may not be necessary.

The reason for waiting to take antibiotics right away is because our bodies are extremely adept at fighting things off, if given the chance. When you take antibiotics, they wipe EVERYTHING out of your system, good or bad and then you can have a weakened immune system. Which is why I highly recommend taking a probiotic if you end up needing antibiotics!

RELATED: No BS Breastfeeding Essentials

KNOW HOW TO GET A GOOD LATCH

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Even if you have the most amazing labor and delivery, nothing could have gone smoother and you are home within 24 hours of giving birth-

You are gonna have some HUGE emotions that come up. 

Your life has drastically changed. You are now in charge of a tiny human who is relying on your for their survival.

Yeah, it’s a big deal. 

It’s also an empowering feeling to know that you DID IT.

And that you will do it, keep your precious newborn sustained and thriving.

So when you have these emotions and you need to cry, or scream or break down-

DO IT.

Honor the hell out of those feelings, and also, let them go. 

It’s not you personally breaking down and entering a state of depression.

It might be if you let it get that far but if you try to remember that it is NORMAL to have these feelings and that they will pass, you will truly kick ass as a new mother. 

It’s when we try to fight these feelings, control them and act like they are wrong that it’s not gonna go well.

They’re not wrong.

Birthing a baby is a HELL of thing, no matter if you had a 48 hour labor or a 4 hour one. C-section or a vaginal birth.

IT DOESN’T MATTER.

Surrender to the feelings, don’t fight them and when you are ready to move on, do it with self-love.

By the way- don’t miss these nursing momma FREEBIES ❤

(use the code NEWMOMMA20 to grab any of the following for free)

Are you pregnant or nursing your new baby? Let me know in the comments what kind of stuff came up for you and how you dealt with it!

MORE HELPFUL BREASTFEEDING ARTICLES:

Sudden Exhaustion Before Labor {what extreme tiredness before labor means}

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Is sudden exhaustion a sign of labor?

In the last weeks and days leading up to labor, you’ll probably be googling a lot of questions like:

“When does labor start?”

“What are the early signs of labor?”

“Is diarrhea a sign of labor?”

And so on. Every. Single. Twinge. will become a source of eek! could it be labor??

I was like this with all three of my pregnancies. And they were all different, LOL! The one thing you can count on with pregnancy and labor is that no two will be the same.

This post contains affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure here. In addition, this site is not intended for medical advice. See our full policy here.

Have you taken a prenatal course yet? Snag this amazing online prenatal course for 10% off using the code PC10

So- is sudden exhaustion a sign of labor?

The end of pregnancy can be a wild ride. If you’re not bursting with energy and rearranging furniture or deep cleaning your fridge, you might be hit with sudden exhaustion.

That’s a good sign that your body is conserving energy for the hard work of childbirth coming up!

Can labor just start all of a sudden?

Yes, it absolutely can. It happened to me!

I’ve mentioned this in other posts but it bears mentioning again-

With my third baby, I saw my doctor in the morning for a membrane sweep. She told me “don’t hold your breath, this baby isn’t coming anytime soon.”

So, I didn’t hold my breath and went about my day. As I was mopping the floor, I suddenly realized I was doubled over in pain… a major contraction! I rushed to the hospital at 2pm and had my baby before 6pm that same day.

This may not be typical with first time pregnancies but always be ready with your hospital bag packed– just in case.

There is something called precipitous labor (giving birth less than 3 hours after contractions have started), which I don’t think I had. But you should be aware of the signs as it can happen unexpectedly!

Signs of precipitous labor are:

  • Sudden pattern of very strong contractions that are close and don’t let you recover.
  • Pain that feels like one long contraction.
  • A sudden feeling of having to push or have a bowel movement. This can also feel like strong pressure in your pelvic area.

Can feeling unwell be a sign of labor?

Yes, feeling unwell can be a sign that baby is coming. You might have diarrhea (your body’s way of cleaning house), experience flu-like symptoms or have an achy, crampy feeling in your lower back.

RELATED: Weird Signs that Labor is Starting

What are the signs of going in to labor?

These are the most common signs of labor:

  1. Loss of mucus plug
  2. Bloody show
  3. Weight loss
  4. Nesting
  5. Extreme fatigue
  6. Diarrhea
  7. Back pain
  8. Contractions
  9. Ripened cervix
  10. Water breaking

Loss of mucus plug

The mucus plug is something that’s formed right when you conceive. It’s a blob of mucus that covers the end of your cervix to keep nasty germs and bacteria from getting to your baby- it’s really quite neat!

When you lose your mucus plug, you may not even notice. It could drop into the toilet or be wiped away without you knowing.

I noticed losing my mucus plug in 2 out of 3 pregnancies. With my son, it came out around 6pm and I went into labor at 2am that morning.

With my daughter, I actually lost it at 35 weeks and panicked about going into labor early. I only learned later that your mucus plug will regenerate if lost too early- so don’t panic if that happens to you.

So, if you notice a snotty type blob in the toilet or your underwear and it’s the end of your pregnancy- rejoice! Baby is coming.

Bloody show

The bloody show happens when you lose your mucus plug. This is because your cervix is very sensitive- it’s covered in a lot of tiny blood vessels. When the mucus plug gets dislodged, some blood vessels rupture and you might notice a small amount of blood.

The amount is very small- a streak of blood tinged mucus is normal.

So, if you missed the mucus plug coming out but there’s a small tinge of blood when you wipe at the end of pregnancy, that’s a really good sign of labor.

You stop gaining weight

You may stop gaining weight or even lose a little bit. The weight loss at the very end of pregnancy is very slight- about 1-3 pounds.

You might not notice unless you’re weighing yourself regularly.

Nesting

Deep cleaning your freezer? Organizing the pantry? Nesting is in instinct we share with animals- there is something that’s telling you baby will be here soon and to get those last minute things ready.

Nesting can happen in the last weeks and days leading up to giving birth. Try not to do anything too crazy (like moving an armoire and king size mattress… *cough*) but take advantage of the energy boost and get those last minute to-do’s finished up.

RELATED: Free 3rd Trimester Checklist

Extreme fatigue

On the flip side of a burst of energy, you feel extreme fatigue before going into labor. Your body is incredibly intuitive- listen to it! If you’re fatigued, it means it’s time to rest and conserve energy before the big day.

Rest as much as you can and spoil yourself with movies and delicious food before baby makes their debut.

Diarrhea

Maybe it’s gross but I always loved having diarrhea at the end of pregnancy, LOL! This is because it “cleans house” and clears everything out before you need to push baby out.

Generally, if it does happen to you, it will be 24-48 hours before labor.

Back pain

You know that crampy, achy feeling you get in your lower back around the time of your period? That feeling can be a good sign of labor approaching at the end of your pregnancy.

Contractions

This is the most obvious sign of labor but sometimes it’s hard to determine a real contraction from Braxton Hicks (especially with first pregnancies.)

I actually had a false alarm with my SECOND baby because I had been induced with my first and didn’t really know how real contractions would start/feel like.

Here’s a guide for you:

real contractions vs braxton hicks

Ripened cervix

When your cervix starts opening, that’s when exciting things start to happen! Your mucus plug will dislodge, you might notice a bloody show and you know that baby is on the way.

Your doctor will be checking you more regularly at the end of your pregnancy and they will check and tell you how dilated you are. Being dilated past 3cm is a good indication or labor approaching.

Water breaking

Did you know that only 15% of women have their water break before labor? I just assumed it happened to almost everyone because it happened to me with 2 out of 3 pregnancies.

It might be a trickle or it might be a huge gush- I’ve have both experiences! If you have liquid trickling down and you’re almost positive you didn’t pee… your water might have broken! It will be odorless and clear in color.

RELATED: 10 Easy and Safe Ways to Induce Labor at Home

How did you feel 24 hours before labor?

This varies from woman to woman AND pregnancy to pregnancy. I’ve had all the “regular signs” and knew it was coming and I’ve been completely surprised when labor did show up.

With my first- no idea it was coming. My water broke early in the morning and I was surprised!

With my second- I had an urge to eat lots of fun junk food, lost my mucus plug at 6pm and my water broke at 2am the next morning.

With my third- didn’t notice losing my mucus plug, doctor told me in the morning not to wait because baby wasn’t coming soon but I had strong contractions start at 2pm that day and had my baby at 6pm that same day.

Is baby more or less active before labor?

You might notice that your baby is less active before labor begins. No one knows why this is- it may be because your baby is saving energy for birth as well.

Your baby should still move several times an hour– always call your doctor if your baby isn’t moving and you’re worried.

When should you go to the doctor with contractions?

If your contractions are lasting 60 second and are 3-5 minutes apart, it’s time to head to the hospital!

Grab a free checklist below:

Stop googling “When to head to the hospital” with your FREE labor checklist!

Enter your email below to download your handy labor checklist.

How long do you have loose stools before labor?

Diarrhea or loose stools usually happen 1-2 days before labor begins.

RELATED: Diarrhea- surefire labor sign?

Sleeping a lot before labor- is it a sign of baby coming?

Did you feel exhausted before going into labor? I personally never felt the extreme exhaustion (other than normal end of pregnancy tiredness), but I did always notice a burst of energy and nesting instincts kicking in before going into labor.

Being tired and fatigued before labor is normal- if you feel like sleeping a lot and are able to, go for it! That’s a great chance to conserve energy before childbirth.

Sudden exhaustion or extreme fatigue at pregnant 37 weeks

Sudden exhaustion or extreme fatigue can indicate that labor may start soon. If this is happening to you at 37 weeks, keep an eye on your other symptoms and pack your hospital bag just in case!

RELATED: Obvious signs labor is 24-48 hours away

Burst of energy then exhaustion before labor

It’s confusing but both energy bursts and exhaustion are totally normally in the days leading up to labor. If you had a burst of energy and then got really tired, just go with it. Rest and pamper yourself- baby will be there soon!

39 weeks pregnant and feeling very tired and sleepy

39 weeks pregnant means your baby is full term- yay! Feeling tired and sleepy at this point is totally normal- you’re carrying around a full term baby, have a bunch of hormones wreaking havoc on your system and may or may not be getting enough sleep at night.

It’s hard not to google every single sign and twinge but rest assured, baby IS coming and you’re closer than ever now!

I had a burst of energy- how long before labor?

With my 1st baby, I had a crazy burst of energy at 38 weeks and started moving furniture around and then packed my hospital bag. My water broke early the next morning!

That being said, it’s different for every woman and every pregnancy. I didn’t get a burst of energy before labor with my second baby.

With my third I had a huge urge to vacuum and mop all the floors literally right before I went into labor. I managed to vacuum and get half the mopping done before the contractions took me down, lol!

Final thoughts on sudden exhaustion before labor

If you’re at the end of your pregnancy and you have experienced sudden exhaustion, chances are that labor is on its way!

It’s easier said than done but as a mom of 3, my advice to you is to try to enjoy the last days of your pregnancy. Which can be SO hard! And I wish I could have taken my own advice each pregnancy, haha.

Your baby is coming. No matter what, they will be here. And whether you birth them naturally, with an epidural or have a c-section- it’s going to be okay. You have got this. Sending momma love to you and positive birth vibes <3

More Labor and Birth Articles:

Is sudden exhaustion a sign of labor?

Breastfeeding Essentials For New Moms

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No B.S. New Mom Breastfeeding Essentials

 

Here’s something I wish someone would have told me when I was pregnant with my first baby-

You do NOT need nearly everything that is thrown at you or suggested when you have a baby. Some things you will use once, some not at all and some have multiple uses and you’ll use them for a very long time.

With that being said, it is super hard to know what, exactly, is going to be necessary for your breastfeeding style.

Are you going back to work at 6 weeks? Are you exclusively breastfeeding but going back to work? Staying home? Working part time? Are you laid back? Worried about needing something for every possible situation?  These are questions that will change some of the things you may need.

This list was written well after the birth of my 3rd baby, and let me tell ya sister, you don’t need a million things to get by!

Learning HOW to breastfeed shouldn’t be hard- but it is! Milkology is offering a short class that guarantees you will be breastfeeding like a pro in 90 minutes. Totally worth it!

Make sure you grab these FREEBIES for breastfeeding mommas ❤

(use the code NEWMOMMA20 to grab any of the following for free)

FREE NURSING PILLOW

10 REUSABLE NURSING PADS

NURSING COVER

FREE AEROFLOW BREAST PUMP

Breastfeeding Essentials For The New Mom:

NURSING BRAS

I was lucky enough to get a whole bunch of nursing bras passed down to me from my sister-in-law. I was not lucky enough to have tiny boobs like her!

So I suffered through 2 babies wearing nursing bras 2-3 sizes too small.

Yeah, kinda ridiculous.

With my 3rd baby I splurged and realized what all the fuss was about!

You are going to be practically living in this bra for the next 1-2 years (depending on how long you nurse).

 Here’s your permission, here’s your validation-

YOU’RE WORTH EVERY PENNY OF A GOOD NURSING BRA.

Don’t settle for some cheap, crappy bras that don’t fit quite right.

Any mom with a baby deserves a super comfy, easy to use nursing bra.

This nursing bra is the one I finally settled on and it’s the epitome of comfort and support. I live in this bra during the day and will definitely buy another one when it wears out. It’s going strong 7 months!

This pack of 3 is a bit more budget friendly and has over 7000 reviews giving it a 4.5/5 rating. 

RELATED: How To Heal Postpartum Like A Boss

breastfeeding essentials for the new mom/first time mom breastfeeding essentials/new mom breastfeeding essentials

 

NIGHT NURSING BRAS

Night nursing bras help with a few things:

  • keeping milk from leaking down your naked body during night time feeds
  • extremely easy access (no clips) requiring zero brain power for those middle of the night feeds.
  • they are super stretchy and comfortable and won’t be too hard on your fluctuating breasts or cause blockages.
  • These night nursing bras are comfortable, affordable and are easily tossed in the wash. It’s really nice to be able to roll over and whip out a boob in bed (if you co-sleep) easily and not have to worry about snapping anything back together.

RELATED: Should I Have a Third Baby?

NIPPLE CREAM

This is not optional. For your nipples’ sake, please use nipple cream! You seem to really only need it for the first few weeks and then your body adjusts to breastfeeding. If you are a DIY’er, here is a recipe for homemade healing balm that you can definitely use, just omit the tea tree oil.

If you really want to make it yourself but don’t have the time or ingredients for making a balm, throw a couple of drops of lavender essential oil in some coconut oil. Works like a charm!

If you don’t have time for that, this is what I’ve used for 2 of my nursing babies- it smells like chocolate and is safe for baby!

RELATED: How To Increase Milk Supply (even if it seems hopeless)

FREE printable breastfeeding supplies checklist below!

NURSING BREAST PADS

Some people swear by reusable and some people swear by disposable. I’ve tried both and I don’t mind either. These are the kind I’ve tried and stuck with for all of my babies!

These reusable nursing pads are made from organic bamboo, washable, reusable and waterproof.

You can grab a set of reusable ones for free- click here and use the code NEWMOMMA20.

MILK BOOSTING TEA

This is totally optional and depends on what you are like. Are you already worried about your milk supply and your baby hasn’t been born yet?

Then you may want to have this tea on hand. I drank it with my first daughter, kind of as a ‘just in case’ type thing and actually had to stop drinking it because I was producing too much milk!

If you’d rather have a milk boosting snack, this protein powder was made for breastfeeding moms and has milk boosting ingredients in it. It helps you lose weight while keeping up your supply 🙂

RELATED: VEGAN LACTATION RECIPES FOR BOOSTING MILK SUPPLY

 

NURSING PILLOW

Having a nursing pillow with my first baby was a complete life saver for my back and shoulders. If you’re on baby 2 or 3- you probably don’t need one. But with your first, breastfeeding is a bit of a learning curve and I used my nursing pillow constantly.

This nursing pillow has adjustable strap to keep your baby in place which is very helpful when you’re both brand new to breastfeeding.

You can also click here to grab a free nursing pillow with the code NEWMOMMA20 but I’m going to be honest with you- the quality just isn’t as good. They’re not quite as firm but sometimes that’s fine- depends on the momma.

RELATED: How To Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

PUMP

When I had my first baby, I went out and bought all. the. things. A pump was one of them! I bought a Medela Swing and did NOT love it. There are many reasons you may need a pump but quite possibly, you won’t need one.

I certainly didn’t!

If you are wondering if you will need a pump or not, please check out this guide.

If you are going back to work and want to exclusively breastfeed there are a few options to consider but factors like budget and necessity come into play.

What is a deal breaker for you?

Do you need a double pump? Single? Hospital strength?

I recommend doing some serious research into what would be best for you.

If you are going to be home most of the time and will occasionally go out to dinner and a movie, an electric pump really isn’t necessary.

This Hakaa is a good option for a manual pump. It’s so easy to use, helps with the pain of engorgement and can be used to catch the let down milk from the other breast while breastfeeding. Some are saying that they are using this as a replacement to an expensive electric pump and are using it even while working!

*UPDATE! I bought the Hakaa manual breast pump and it is AMAZING! Like, unreal! Once it suctions onto your breast you don’t need to do anything- the milk will keep coming out!

If you are going back to work full time and are going to pumping quite extensively, some of the best reviews I’ve found are for this pump which is hospital grade and an excellent price for what it does.

RELATED: Newborn Baby Essentials (+what you DON’T need)

NURSING TANKS AND TOPS

This nursing tank is so incredibly handy. You can wear it by itself with no other bra and it looks cute with a cardigan thrown over top. Easy to breastfeed while at home or out in public. I do not have small boobs and was worried about the support aspect but they are AMAZING!

These tanks have a 4.5 star rating and come some beautiful patterns and solid colors. Click here to read some of the awesome reviews they have.

If you’re looking for a nursing t-shirts, these ones has really high reviews and some lovely prints and solid colors!

Or this pack of 2 is a good option for a really good price. Check out the reviews here.

MATERNITY SPORTS BRA

If you are active at all, I highly recommend spending the money on a legitimate maternity sports bra! The difference is incredible and it will be kind to your changing boobs. Many of them are supportive but super stretchy to accommodate growing and shrinking breasts during breastfeeding!

This sports bra has some raving reviews-

*So comfortable! I love love love this bra. This is my third baby and have tried them all… this one is the best

Click here to read some more of the reviews and questions answered!

If you aren’t super active and don’t do high impact things like running or jumping, please skip this section!

If you are active, continue reading:

This sports bra (which is NOT a maternity sports bra) needs to be mentioned here. I have been running for almost 5 years. Never in my whole experience running have I come across a better sports bra, and I’ve tried a lot. This sports bra reduces the bounce rate of your boobs by 76% and this in itself is worth every penny! When you are nursing and running or doing high impact activity, having a sports bra like this is heaven! I would recommend buying this after about 3 months when your milk production has regulated and your chest isn’t changing size as much as in the beginning.

RELATED: Everything You Need To Know About C-Section Recovery

BONUS

A nasal aspirator. No, this doesn’t have to do with breastfeeding but I’m putting it in here because it is such a damn life saver and I wish I’d had it with my first baby. She was so congested after the birth that we would hold her her facing the floor and smack her back because she couldn’t breathe ?

If your baby gets stuffed up and cannot nurse or is congested after birth, this invention will blow your mind! You put a small piece in your baby’s nose and suck through a tube (the snot does not go anywhere near your mouth, don’t worry!) and it will literally clear out your babies nose and give them huge relief. I would now buy this for any expecting mother as my number one present!

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I got overwhelmed by the information and guilt as to what I thought I ‘should’  have for my baby. Now with my 3rd breastfed baby, the only things I have legitimately used for breastfeeding are on this list!

Did I miss anything? What nursing/breastfeeding essentials for new moms would you add? Let me know in the comments ❤

Other Breastfeeding Articles You Might Like:

No B.S. Breastfeeding Supplies and Nursing Essentials For New Moms

 

breastfeeding essentials checklist/breastfeeding essentials for new moms

How To Have A Fast Labor {simple ways to speed up labor and delivery}

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TIPS TO SPEED UP LABOR

‘HOW TO HAVE A FAST LABOR’ is something that every pregnant woman ends up googling at some point in their pregnancy.

Thinking about labor always brings up some intense emotions. It’s one of the craziest things you’ll ever do followed by the most life changing thing that will happen to you. And things can change at the last minute so you never know how it will really go until it’s over.

This post contains affiliate links. Please see our full disclosure here. In addition, this site is not intended for medical advice. See our full policy here.

Don’t miss these new momma freebies❤

(use the code NEWMOMMA20 to grab any of the following for free)

how to have a fast labor/how to have a fast labor and delivery

Here are the ways to shorten labor– we’ll explain each one in more detail below:

  • Exercise throughout your pregnancy
  • Drink red raspberry leaf tea
  • Use birth affirmations
  • Take a prenatal class
  • Breathe properly
  • Use clary sage oil
  • Eat dates
  • Sleep more

EXERCISE THROUGHOUT YOUR PREGNANCY

I wasn’t active with my first baby.

By my second pregnancy, I was very active with running and some strength training. I had no desire to let that go and kept up pretty well throughout my second pregnancy.

The difference was NIGHT AND DAY. For my pregnancy and the labor.

My first pregnancy was riddled with injuries, an early mat leave and having a hard time doing anything. The labor was long, hard and I tore while pushing and ended up with stitches.

My second pregnancy was actually somewhat enjoyable! Things weren’t really uncomfortable until the end but even then it was NOTHING like my first. The labor was just under 6 hours from my water breaking to pushing my son out. I did have an epidural (which I loved) and pushing was less than 3 minutes.

RELATED: 9 Things To Know About Epidurals

My third pregnancy was much like the first- not too uncomfortable until the end and the labor was just under 4 hours from when I had my first contraction to pushing out my daughter. Pushing lasted 5 minutes!

I am completely attributing the second and third pregnancies to being strong, fit, eating (somewhat) healthy and drinking Red Raspberry Leaf tea like a fiend!

Being strong and fit will definitely help you have an easier and fast labor. Your muscles are ready for the marathon ahead and being fit means less chance of injuring yourself during labor.

The American Pregnancy Association lists these benefits to exercising during pregnancy:

  • Reduces backaches, constipation, bloating
  • May help prevent gestational diabetes
  • Improves mood and posture
  • Promotes muscle tone, strength and endurance
  • Helps you sleep better

Squats are one of THE most beneficial exercises you can do for preparing your body for birth.

RELATED: A Realistic Hospital Bag Checklist

DRINK RED RASPBERRY LEAF TEA

I will sing the praises of Red Raspberry Leaf tea until I’m dead in the ground. This tea is so freaking amazing, I’ll never go through another pregnancy/labor without it!

RRLT contains fragarine which has been known to:

  • help tighten and tone the uterus and pelvic muscles
  • at the same time, help to relax these muscles which can speed up and ease childbirth

Start with one cup per day in your 1st trimester and build up to three cups per day by your 3rd trimester. (I actually was drinking about 4 cups by the end, if you want to do this as well, please research and consult your physician!)

I originally purchased the single packaged tea bags but because I was drinking so much red raspberry leaf tea, the price didn’t make sense so I started buying in bulk from here.

As if this tea doesn’t do enough for you, it also contains:

  • calcium
  • potassium
  • magnesium
  • iron
  • manganese

Which is why I drink red raspberry leaf tea before, during and after pregnancy for an extra boost of vitamins.

This study shows that women who drink the tea might have less of a chance of needing artificial membrane rupture or a c-section!

RELATED: Signs labor has officially started!

USE BIRTH AFFIRMATIONS

When we fight what’s happening, we are tensing up parts of our body that don’t even need to be tensed up. This can actually slow your labor down.

Use Birth Affirmation Cards to empower your body and mind. They will help make your labor easier and faster- grab your set for $4.99.

Don’t try to fight what’s happening. It’s so hard to NOT do this because every inch of your body is in extreme distress and you want to fight that feeling like hell.

It’s going to feel weird to tell yourself to accept what’s happening to you and ride WITH it instead of AGAINST it. But once you do, it will make things a whole lot easier!

RELATED: Signs Labor Is 24-48 Hours Away

TAKE A PRENATAL CLASS

Hilary has been an OB nurse since 2001. She is offering  a free online prenatal class that will help to simplify labor and help you to have a relaxing birth.

I did not do this and wish I had. The class I attended at the hospital really didn’t give a lot of in depth information on methods for dealing with pain besides drugs, what would happen if you were induced, or any information on what should/could happen with your baby right after birth. (Had I known I could ask for delayed cord clamping or skin to skin right away before they measured and weighed her, I would have.)

Hilary’s class will empower YOU as a mother and help you to feel confident making informed decisions. You can grab her prenatal class here.

RELATED: Less Obvious Signs of Labor

BREATHE

Breathing properly seems like a no brainer. And, really, it kind of is.

Unless you’re in labor.

My goodness, everything you think you prepared for will go out the window. And if you barely looked at anything and thought you had it covered (like me), you’ll be up sh*t creek.

My nurse during my 3rd labor was almost ready to slap me at one point, yelling, ‘you NEED to BREATHE.’

I completely panicked and almost forgot how to breathe entirely. So put some work in and find labor breathing techniques you can practice and nail down so you aren’t panicked and flailing!

RELATED: Hospital Bag Checklist for Dads or Birth Partners

TRY CLARY SAGE OIL

There is some debate over whether or not this works. What Clary Sage definitely DOES do is increase your bodies natural levels of oxytocin. The line of thinking is that if it increases oxytocin, it will help you relax and hasten your labor.

Clary Sage is also thought to increase the intensity of contractions, but again, research is limited.

I have used it to try to induce labor as well as throughout the labor.

For inducing, I mix it with a carrier oil and rub directly on my belly. (Please wait until you are safely past 37 weeks for this.)

During labor, put a drop or two on a cotton ball and inhale. You can also add to a carrier oil and rub on pressure points or your belly! This is the kind I’ve used with all 3 babies.

EAT DATES

By eating 6 dates per day for the last 4 weeks of pregnancy you are likely to:

  • Go into spontaneous labor (rather than be induced)
  • Have a shorter labor
  • Have higher cervical dilation upon admittance to the hospital

Definitely worth trying it out! If you’re wondering about how to eat that many dates, check out this recipe for date caramel sauce or throw them in your smoothies to sweeten them up.

Stop googling “When to head to the hospital” with your FREE labor checklist!

Enter your email below to download your handy labor checklist.

SLEEP MORE

I know what you’re thinking. 

Cause I haven’t been trying to get more sleep, thank you very much.

There was a study that found women who had inadequate sleep in late pregnancy were significantly more likely to have longer labors and require c-sections.

Don’t let this stress you out even more, make it a reason to spritz your pillow with lavender or buy that pregnancy pillow you’ve been eying up. You can get this pregnancy pillow for $50 off using my code NEWMOMMA20.

These seriously helpful pregnancy sleep tips will have you sleeping in no time!

Every woman wants to have that super magical, fast and easy labor. The truth is, there are SO MANY factors at play when you go into labor.

Whether it’s your first or fourth baby, your age, activity level or just what your baby decides to do- anything can happen.

WHAT CAUSES FAST LABOR?

There are a few factors that can cause a fast labor to happen:

  • A strong uterus that contracts with a lot of strength
  • A birth canal that knows what to do
  • A history of fast labors
  • A smaller than average baby

WHAT SHOULD I EAT FOR EASY LABOR AND DELIVERY?

Start preparing for labor during pregnancy by eating foods that can help speed up labor! Here are some suggestions:

  • Green leafy vegetables
  • Dates
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Bananas
  • Melons

Green Leafy Veggies

Greeny leafy vegetables contain an plethora of vitamins and nutrients like magnesium, iron, zinc, calcium, vitamins A, K and E.

Dates

According to this study if you eat 6 dates per day in the last 4 weeks leading up to labor and delivery, you’re giving yourself a good chance to:

  • Go into spontaneous labor vs induction
  • Have a higher cervical dilation at admission to the hospital
  • Have a shorter first stage of labor- whoo hoo!

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds contain high levels of vitamins (B6, folate), minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron) and proteins.

DOES WALKING MAKE LABOR EASIER?

There actually haven’t been any studies conducted on pregnant woman who walked around during labor and those who didn’t. There was a study done where 30% of the women thought that walking brought on labor faster but there were no clear results.

That being said, walking around in early labor and in between contractions is thought to make labor easier. This is because gravity is helping nudge baby down and may speed up the process.

WHAT IS THE QUICKEST LABOR TIME?

If it’s your first baby, labor lasts, on average, 12-24 hours. Subsequent pregnancies are usually shorter.

The fastest labor ever recorded? This mom delivered in less than 2 minutes!

IS FAST LABOR GENETIC?

No one knows for sure if rapid labor or precipitate labor is genetic. It’s thought that if you have a mom or sister who had a fast labor, you might too but it’s not a guarantee.

IN CONCLUSION

There is never a guarantee as to how your labor will go- I’ve had 3 extremely different experiences and that’s pretty normal!

I wish you a positive birth experience, whatever that may be. Hope for a fast and easy labor and prepare for a long and hard one and you’ll come out okay ❤

MORE AWESOME LABOR TIPS:

HOW TO SPEED UP LABOR

How to Breathe During Labor

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Need to pack your hospital bag? Don’t miss our FREE hospital bag checklist to print and download! It’s realistic- no fluff 🙂

How is a woman in labor breathing? Most women will be either holding their breath or be breathing fast and shallow to try to counteract the pain.

With my third baby, my nurse almost had to slap me out of it. I was in so much pain and so out of it that she yelled into my face “YOU NEED TO BREEEAAATHHHEEE.”

It’s seriously SO important!

Hyperventilating or holding your breath are not okay!

These techniques are from the beginning of labor all the way to the end 🙂

Knowing how to breathe properly during labor is one the best tools, hands down, that you can use during labor and delivery.

Breathing comes so naturally that we don’t think about it which is great- if you’re not in labor.

When you’re in pain, your body will want to hold the breath or hyperventilate. This is not good!

Here are the best labor breathing techniques:

Use these techniques to help get through labor and delivery.

The Destresser Breath: helps take away the stress and helps you relax

How to do it:

  1. Place your hands on your tummy.
  2. Breathe in through your nose for 4-6 seconds while imagining your tummy is a balloon you’re filling up.
  3. Slowly exhale through your mouth for 6-8 seconds.
  4. Repeat.

Transition Breathing: short, shallow and helps to resist urge to push

How to do it:

  1. Take 2 shallow breaths in.
  2. Exhale 2 shallow breaths out.

The “J” Breath: helps to release tension while pushing baby out

How to do it:

  1. Deep breath in through your nose.
  2. Exhale while making a low moaning sound. Keep abs tightened. Imagine the sound sweeping from your through down past your uterus and birth canal in a “J” motion.
  3. Practice while pooping. This is the closest sensation you’ll get to giving birth!

Please watch the video below to see the techniques demonstrated! If you’re wondering WHEN you’ll go into labor click here.