How to Eat While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is a beautiful experience, but it can be extremely difficult at times. Perhaps one of the greatest difficulties a woman faces while breastfeeding is the inability to do anything else at the same time. However, you can learn how to eat a meal with both hands free while still comfortably breastfeeding your baby.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Table or other flat surface
• Comfortable chair or couch
• Boppy pillow, My Breast Friend, or regular pillows

1. Prepare your meal before breastfeeding begins and place your plate and drink on a flat surface near the spot where you will be nursing.

2. Sit in a comfortable spot with the flat surface holding the food and drink within arm’s reach. Cross your legs in front of you if possible to create an area for your baby to rest.

3. Place a Boppy pillow, My Breast Friend, or regular pillows around your waist and on your lap.

4. Comfortably arrange your baby on top of the pillows so that he is level with your breast. Make sure that he will not roll off the pillows when you let go of him.

5. Give your baby time to begin nursing before trying to start your own meal.

6. Remove your arm from beneath your baby's head after she has a good latch and is on her way to a full belly. You should have both arms free at this time, and your baby should be able to continue breastfeeding while comfortably resting on the pillows in your lap without your continual support.

7. Reach over carefully to get your plate and start eating. Mind the crumbs or juices that could fall onto your baby and disrupt his meal.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't use this technique for hot meals. The potential for accidentally burning your baby is too great.
• This technique should only be used after mom and baby are both comfortable with breastfeeding.