Breast milk flows best from a relaxed mom, so getting comfortable is key. Setting up a cozy spot for yourself will help you settle into the nursing routine. The way you furnish your "nest" will depend on how much space you have and whether you prefer to nurse primarily in your baby's room or in another room of your home. Here are some things you may want to include:

•A rocking or gliding chair with a comfy cushion. This is an expense, but it is well worth it. Choose a chair that has armrests so your arms have support while you hold your baby. This will cut down on back pain. You will spend hours nursing your baby, and a good chair will make the experience much more pleasant.

•A footstool or ottoman. Keeping your feet raised while you nurse will take pressure off your back and help prevent you from hunching over. It's also more comfortable to nurse if your feet are elevated slightly. Many of the stores that sell glider rockers also sell matching footstools.

•A few pillows to help you prop your baby on your lap or to help you sit comfortably. If you had a c-section, you will want to rest your baby on a pillow, rather than right on top of your abdomen, while you nurse.

•A blanket so you can stay warm if you're nursing during the cooler months.

•A "TV" tray or small table, placed next to your chair, will make it easy to keep frequently used items within arm's reach. These might include some of the next few listings.

•A basket filled with a few nutritious snacks, such as dried fruit, nuts, some granola bars, and so on.

•A water bottle. Drinking plenty of water will help you stay hydrated, which in turn will help with milk production. Keeping a water bottle nearby will make it easy for you to sip while you sit. Avoid drinking hot beverages while you're holding your baby -- you don't want to risk spilling something on him.

•Hand wipes for cleaning your hands before breastfeeding.

•A cordless phone if you don't find talking on the phone too distracting while you're nursing.

•Reading material. Light reading (such as a magazine) might be easier to handle than the newspaper or a heavy novel. If you have other young children at home, keep some of their favorite books close by, too, so you can read to them while you nurse.

•A radio, CD player, or remote control so you can listen to news or music or watch television.

-- Dana Sullivan is a writer in Reno, Nevada. Her work has appeared in several national magazines, including Parenting, Parents, Fit Pregnancy, Real Simple, and Self. She is co-author of The Essential C-Section Guide (Broadway Books/Random House, 2004).

References

Sutter Health Network. Breastfeeding: Nutrition. http://babies.sutterhealth.org/breastfeeding/bf_nutrition.html

Sutter Health Network. Breast Milk Production. http://www.kids.sutterhealth.org/health/breastfeeding/bf_production.html.

First published August 15, 2005
Last updated September 16, 2008
Copyright © 2005 Consumer Health Interactive

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