Another year has passed and one of my resolutions is to manage my time better. This is a never-ending, excruciatingly difficult thing to do. I often feel like I am running in place and though I am constantly busy with laundry and kitchen clean-up, with the re-mess-up immediately following, nothing ever seems to be done. Part of this feeling is our sense that the “things” we are supposed to do should already be done - that somehow if anyone witnesses us doing our “things” we are somehow disorganized, behind, not properly managing our time. Don’t you just love those commercials where mothers are reading a book while the washing machine is spinning quietly and the baby in the bouncy seat is sleeping? Where is the rest of the laundry? How about the ironing? Mending? Do people mend anymore? Where is the ream of paper from the elementary school? Is that baby in the bouncy seat actually sleeping? How much did they pay that baby to do that?

One of the best things about breastfeeding is the inescapable sit-your-bum-down-time. When our babies declare the need for some mama time, we must respond and relax and slow down, letting the little hand pat us, letting the little mouth smile at us, letting the Prolactin, or “mothering” hormone, wash over us and make us better mommies. This is a major component in the importance of the nursing relationship. Breastfeeding is much more than just providing nutrition. These are future people we are nurturing and when we stop the whirlwind of life to be with them it is as if we can stop time. Though trying to stop time is not an effective way to manage it, it is important to remember that life gives us many chances to slow things down and enjoy the moments but we have to pay attention to notice them. Life’s responsibilities are akin to running in place. You cannot get ahead because they are always there, waiting to be done. If you spend life believing that you can get ahead, you will miss the moments when time seems to stop. These are the moments when we actually accomplish something and we are truly making progress. When we gaze into our children’s eyes, giggle at their giggles, or get goosebumps from their wee cuddles we solidify their humanness, their conscience. By taking advantage of these moments it makes it all the easier to manage the whirlwind. Allowing yourself to revel in the nothingness of joy with your child, will give you all the gumption you need to tackle cleaning up the kitchen again.

It’s a good question since many women hear about it first from old wife’s tales. Not all old wife’s tales are true, but it is a fact that stress can adversely affect a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply and nursing. Extreme stress can inhibit milk letdown, cause frustration, and even cause the milk supply to diminish if the stress is prolonged. How we as individuals handle stress varies and some moms and their milk supply will be affected more by stress than others.

If this is a first child then the mother’s life has changed dramatically overnight and probably now revolves around that small noisy and beloved infant who’s every need must be a priority. This is a complete 180 in terms of lifestyle and causes stress because between night time feedings, new parent concerns, and the incessant demands of everyday life, stress can pile up. Even experienced mothers can find that every day stresses have compounded and might feel overwhelming at times.

Working moms have an added stresses in time limited pumping at work. A working mother who is breastfeeding will surely spend her lunch hour and breaks trying to grab a bite to eat and with a breast pump whirring in the background. If she is very concerned over maintaining milk supply this can lead to extra stress and even reduce supply.

Understanding that stress can affect the milk supply of the breastfeeding mother is the first step. The second step to handling stress it to attempt to reduce them as much as possible. This is not always possible as some things are out of our hands however with the help of family and friends and a quiet room much can be done to relieve temporary everyday stresses.

Moms who are stressed over maintaining an adequate milk supply while using a breast pump at work can actually be reducing their milk supply by worrying. It’s very easy to just say “relax” however it is harder to do. If a mom pumps at work, bringing a book to read or embroidery, or even watching TV can help relax her. Let nature take her course and things usually improve. If time concerns while breast pumping at work are an issue then a hospital grade breast pump can be worth it’s weight in gold. A hospital grade breast pump will empty both breasts at once and much faster than an ordinary pump.

Daily stress for the stay at home mother can be just as difficult. Dinner burns, the older children are fighting, and the clothes need taken from the dryer before they wrinkle, and of course right then the baby starts crying and is hungry.
Deal with one thing at a time. Turn off the oven, reassure yourself you can run the clothes in the dryer again for 15 minutes to remove wrinkles, separate the older children, and if possible find a quiet room to feed the baby. In fact it is possible you and your infant will finish that feeding both feeling more relaxed and you better able to face the multitude of demands on a mom who works at home.

Major life events are out of our hands and often can cause great stress. There are some things we can control and others that are out of our hands, it is important to keep the baby’s welfare in mind and try and maintain good sleep and eating habits. Consulting a physician may be necessary if stress becomes a problem in breastfeeding for any reason.