For those of you who breastfeed you will most certainly have had the experience of sitting down with your beautiful baby for a breastfeed, only to realise you are now attatched to the couch for a period of time and you need something in the other room. Of course you are responding promptly to the needs of your hungry baby so you aren’t necessarily thinking about the moments after that little one attatches, but when the crying stops- the silence allows you to think about what you might want or need, and may no longer be able to get unless you get up baby on breast and walk to get it….doable, but avoidable if you have prepared your breastfeeding couch caddy! So you can sit down in your preferred feeding spot and make sure your little caddy is next to you- and you are sorted.
What things should you consider putting in your caddy…
Pen and paper…
This may sound silly, but sometimes when I am sitting there I will think of things I need to do, have an idea perhaps and because I cannot act on it immediately I will often forget- so I find it helpful to write it down so I can act on it when the feed is finished. Paper and pen/pencil is also good to have on hand as a potential ‘activity’ for another bored child waiting for you to finish.
Magazine…
I often like to indulge in those baby cuddles when they are offered and convenient or perhaps required in order for said sleep to continue past 10 minutes. I do not have the brain space for a book, but some mummy talk and pretty pictures I can enjoy flicking through hits the spot.
Drink bottle…
With water.. you must remember to make sure it is filled up. Breastfeeding takes fluid from your body, when that let down happens, I don’t know about you but I become quite thirsty, quite quickly.
Snack…
I like to keep a little container with something to snack on- because breastfeeding makes me sooo hungry. I will be honest sometimes this snack is of the sugar variety, but also nuts, sultanas something small.
TV remotes…
When I have had my newborns, I pick a tv series to watch as I know I will be sitting on the couch more frequently than normal and it forces me to sit and relax while my baby feeds for those first few weeks. On the occasion that I have sat down and remotes have been moved from the caddy and I cant find them… because another child has probably put them in the washing machine… it is so frustrating. So I try to check that they are there before I sit.
Camera…
This is probably your phone these days. But you will want that near so that after your feed and bub has decided to nestle in for a cuddle, you can take a pic of that precious moment.
Lip balm…
Again if nursing is dehydrating, lips may need some TLC.
Lansinoh-
For nipple care, those early days of you and your baby working this out can leave me a little sensitive. Bonus…someone told me they also use lansinoh as a lip balm- 2 items in one.
Hair tie/bobby pins…
For those times you need to assemble a top knot quickly, fixing that bed hair (at 12pm) and who can be bothered going to grab the brush. Because visitors can just turn up right.
Baby lotion/ Hand cream…
I feel like a bit of hand cream can make me feel fresher, and these nappy changing hands always do with a bit of nourishment. I try to get a gentle/natural cream that doubles as something for my baby so that I can apply to their soft skin as well- dual purpose for the win.
Skin sanitiser…
Because bodily fluids are frequently needing to be cleaned up, and keeping those hands clean is good practice.
Baby Wipes…
Every mother will agree, becoming a mother was also the initiation into one of lifes Best household items… the baby wipes!!! So of course they need to be in the caddy, to clean up all the things!!
Facecloth/burping cloth…
For the obvious- there will inevitably be vomit or posits every so often, some babies more than others- you want to be able to mop that up pretty quickly. I like to keep 3 facewashers so I always have one.
These are just a few items that I find helpful to have close. I am sure you could think of others. Even as I was putting this together I was thinking of others.
The other handy things to have in your phone, or written in your trusty notepad are:
Australian Breastfeeding Association Hotline: 1800 686268 and Website Click Here
You can check out the ABA support groups on our website Blaxland Springwood and Katoomba
There are feeding clinics that you can book into. Click for more information- Springwood and Katoomba
Mothersafe Hotline- to ask about exposures including medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Phone: 9382 6539 (Sydney Metropolitan Area), 1800 647 848 (Non-Metropolitan Area) and Website- Click Here
I have been fortunate enough to have developed a heathy breastfeeding relationship with each of my babies, I feel incredibly blessed to have done so. It can be tricky at times though, most would agree. These resources are in our community to assist you with your breast-feeding journey. I’d encourage you to tap into the websites, hotlines and local clinics and support groups if you have any questions before and after your baby arrives. I have utilised many of these resources, many times 🙂
Happy World Breastfeeding Week!!!
