For experienced parents, breastfeeding might come easier in some respects. In other ways, balancing breastfeeding and siblings can be quite the challenge. As a certified breastfeeding counselor, you will help clients find a workable feeding routine.
Finding ways to balance the needs of a breastfeeding infant and older siblings can be difficult. We know that feeding on demand is the best way to maintain supply. However, having to balance the needs of older kids can be challenging.
Here are some helpful tips to support your clients who are balancing breastfeeding and siblings:
Have Realistic Expectations When Balancing Breastfeeding and Siblings
It’s important to remind parents to expect their newborn to need to be at the breast as many as 8-16 hours per 24 hours in the early days. Frequent feeding is an important part of establishing supply.
When parents are reminded of these demands, they can better plan for balancing care between a newborn and older child. It can be easy to forget how demanding a newborn’s feeding schedule is just a year or a few after having a newborn.
They should expect their older sibling to have some adjustment to their parents being quite busy with a newborn. Behavior changes, regressions, etc., can all be typical. Reassurance and consistency will help these behaviors remain temporary.
Learning Side-Lying and Feeding While Babywearing Can Help
While the first few days trying varying positions can be challenging, for long-term balancing, different positions can be vital. Learning to feed side-lying can be used while putting a toddler or preschooler down for a nap. Feeding while babywearing can allow for meeting a newborn’s need to feed and grabbing a snack for a toddler.
Have an Activity Bin, Show, or Something Special During Feeding Time
It can be difficult to make sure an older sibling doesn’t feel left out during frequent feeding. Having an activity bin, TV show, or other special activity which only comes out during feeds can help reduce frustrations for a child.
Some parents will make a bin with a variety of little toys, coloring books, etc., and change it out as needed to keep it exciting. Other parents use a feeding or two for the child’s screentime for the day. Some will use the time to read a story or do another special activity with the older child.
It’s important that parents know they needn’t do this with every single feed. The idea is to reduce the stress for parents, not increase it.
Keep Baby Within Arm’s Reach at Night
Many tell parents to sleep when the baby sleeps. When you have a toddler, preschooler, or even older kids needing rides to school, this can be impossible during the day.
Having to get out of bed, feet hitting the ground, and walking down the hall can lead to losing more rest. Being able to simply reach into the bassinet to grab baby and not need to be jolted awake can help some parents get more rest. Many new parents find safe side-lying for feeding allows them to get extra rest during night feeds as well. Be sure to share safe infant sleep guidelines with your clients.
Encourage Parents to Use Help
As experienced parents, some won’t plan for extra help assuming they will know what they’re doing. In many ways, however, experienced parents often need more support. Sure, they may know how to care for their newborn but they’re still navigating a big adjustment.
Encourage parents to seek out and accept help. Having support is vital to being able to balance the demands of a newborn and the needs of a sibling. Breastfeeding, though a natural process, takes quite a bit of time, energy, and work.