Breastfeeding can be hard, and according to March of Dimes, it can take a lot of planning to feel comfortable with the activity and your new schedule after your baby is born.

Some new mothers breastfeed round-the-clock at home, while others pump part of their supply for partners, nannies, or grandparents to give their child while they’re at work.

My Best Choice Today invites you to consider the following self-care tips if you’re feeling overwhelmed as a new mother who is beginning her breastfeeding journey.

Get Into a Routine

Before you know it, you’ll be a pro at breastfeeding — but now, it may feel foreign, uncomfortable, and even painful as Nemours KidsHealth notes. Ensure that you’ve got a comfortable place to sit, a nursing pillow, a lumbar cushion, and whatever else you need to feel good while breastfeeding.

There are many ways to breastfeed a new baby including feeding on demand, setting a predictable schedule, and, for a slightly older baby, combining solid food meals with your milk.

Ask your doctor, your baby’s pediatrician, or your lactation consultant any questions you may have about your milk supply, any issues your baby may be having with latching, and any breast issues you experience in the early days such as chapping or mastitis.

Take Control of Pumping

Pumping is a common need for most mothers, but it can definitely pose some challenges. Sometimes flanges don’t fit well, or pumping may be painful. Some mothers still feel full after a pumping session, or others notice a decrease in milk supply. It can be very frustrating! That said, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Find a lactation consultant who can help. 

Go Hands-Free

After the electric breast pump, Mom Loves Best points out that one of the greatest inventions ever made for nursing mothers is the hands-free breast pump. These game-changers afford you extra time to do things like fold laundry, take a nap, play with your other kids or work. They’re brilliant! That said, hands-free pumps can be fairly expensive. 

If you’ve already purchased a regular pump or can’t afford the fancier model, a practical yet stylish clip down nursing nightgown is just as great, and less expensive. The ideal version is hands-free pumping bra that also functions as a nursing bra so you get the most bang for your buck. Don’t worry if you have a larger bust size.

These bras come in a range of sizes to fit anyone, and you can buy them online through popular retailers, which means no extra trips to the store.

Make Time for Your Other Children

If you already have older kids, make sure to set aside time to spend with them. Attending to your other kids’ needs may not seem like self-care, but it can make you feel more relaxed to know that you haven’t neglected the rest of your children during a busy day with a new baby.

Ask them for help with simple chores, read a book together, or plan an activity or outing with them one at a time.

Prioritize Your Mental Health

Breastfeeding, and living through the postpartum period, in general, can bring about a host of emotions. Some are expected, while others are overwhelming. For some mothers, this is a brief period of baby blues. For other mothers, it can lead into several months after the baby’s arrival. When this happens, getting help should be a priority. 

In addition to talking to your doctor, it’s crucial to meet with a counselor who understands your situation and who can give you the necessary tools to get through this difficult time. If your schedule is an issue, that’s okay.

Virtual counseling is the perfect solution, and there are a lot of online therapists who specifically understand breastfeeding and postpartum issues. To make finding a counselor easier, consider using a platform that specializes in offering telehealth. The ideal platform allows you to choose the right match and even get a same-day appointment.

Many of these platforms take most insurance too, making this a helpful solution when you have new baby expenses to manage. 

Create a healthier home space as well. Adding some indoor plants, setting aside a space for solitude, and letting in some natural light can reduce stress and boost your spirits.

On good days, it’s easy to think that you’ve got everything under control. Breastfeeding — and babies in general — can be unpredictable.

Focus on finding ways to make yourself more mentally and physically comfortable during the breastfeeding process, whether you’re creating a healthier home space, investing in a nursing bra or comfortable nightgowns, or speaking with a counselor. 

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Content in collaboration with Julie Morris