How to Maintain Your Milk Supply During the Holiday Season Prep

With all the demands of the holiday season, it’s hard to stick to your normal breastfeeding schedule. You’re missing out on sleep, possibly traveling, and the changes to your diet and routine can easily throw off your milk production.

Go-Lacta has long supported moms on their breastfeeding journey. Our organic Moringa lactation supplements will help you with breastfeeding during the holidays and maintain your milk production.

Why Milk Supply Can Be Affected During the Holidays

The demands on a mom’s time and energy during the holiday season can impact the feeding schedule for their baby, which then impacts milk production. Between planning, shopping, holiday parties, visiting family members, and everything else in between, you may not be able to nurse or pump as often. That can inadvertently lead to engorgement in the breasts or blocked milk ducts.

Travel may put you in different time zones. Your sleep schedule and diet may be thrown off. You may not be eating as healthily or as regularly, and not staying as hydrated. You’re more susceptible to getting run down or sick, which impacts breast milk production -- especially if you need to take any over-the-counter medications.

Also, the baby may become overstimulated from all the holiday excitement, leading him to become distracted and avoid feeding.

Key Principles for Maintaining Milk Supply

Sticking to your breastfeeding routine and your baby’s normal feeding schedule as much as you can should be a priority. It's easy to feel obligated to loved ones, but when you're breastfeeding during the holidays, it's totally fine to stay home as a form of self-care.

Here are some ways to keep your milk production on track as you celebrate during this busy time of year. These are especially helpful if you're breastfeeding during the holidays for the first time with an infant.

• Plan ahead. If you’re traveling, know where you can find a quiet place to nurse. Bring your breast pump and extra milk, just in case. The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has detailed information for breastfeeding moms. Nursing can also help soothe a baby on a plane or train. Bring along a blanket to cover up if you feel uncomfortable, and wear a hands-free bra.
• If you're visiting friends, ask your host for a quiet room where you can attend to your little one, use your breast pump, or even take a little catnap in between all the fun.
• “Wear” your baby. Use a baby carrier or sling to keep the baby close and calm. This is also a great way to shelter the little one from the excess stimulation of being handed around to family and friends.
• Stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle close at hand, and while the occasional drink is fine, do your best to limit alcohol consumption.
• Ask for help. Don’t be afraid to ask friends, neighbors, and family members for a helping hand during this busy time of year. You want to prioritize time to nurse and to give yourself a break to rest.
• If your milk supply has dropped, give it a boost with Go-Lacta's organic lactation supplements.

Meal and Snack Prep Tips for Nursing Moms During Holidays

Rule #1: Build your meals and healthy snacks around protein. Nursing requires energy, and protein can help in that regard, staving off that always-hungry feeling. Staying hydrated is also key.

• Take advantage of things like prepared rotisserie chicken from the store. That can be a dinner, plus lunch the next day.
• Make a protein-rich lasagna with turkey or lean ground beef, and freeze portions for later (hint: sprinkle a little of Go-Lacta’s organic Moringa powder into the pasta sauce to add protein, a nutritional boost, as well as lactation support).
• Apple slices or bananas with peanut butter make a satisfying snack.

Go-Lacta has many simple recipes and snack idea that the whole family can enjoy. They’ll get you through the holiday season and beyond.

Hydration Strategies

Staying hydrated is essential for successful breastfeeding at any time of the year, but especially during the holidays. It's also critical to keep up your energy levels.

• Make it a point to have a bottle of water with you wherever you go.
• Drink a large glass of water before and after you nurse or pump.
• Leave pitchers of water out where they can be seen and accessed. 
• Set “reminders” on your phone to drink.
• If you get bored with water as your standard drink, mix things up with unsweetened teas (like Go-Lacta’s non-caffeinated Moringa Lactation tea).
• Eat moisture-rich fruits and veggies, like cucumbers, watermelon, or citrus fruits.
• Enjoy healthy soups.

Pumping Tips for Busy Holiday Schedules

Do your best to stick to your normal schedule as much as possible. If you can’t, pump your breast milk before you leave for a holiday event, and again after you return home. Label your expressed milk with the date and time to ensure its freshness. 

When traveling, use a manual pump, which is less cumbersome than an electric one. Bring along extra parts, like tubing and valves, just in case. Don’t forget sanitizing wipes to keep everything clean. A hands-free bra will make things easier in public settings.

Use ice packs to keep the bottles or bags of pumped milk fresh; once the breastmilk thaws, use your expressed breastmilk within 24 hours.

Your breastfeeding journey includes the holiday season. Set the intention to put the needs of your infant first, and make your own well-being a very (very) close second. You can enjoy this special time of the year with family and friends; just have a plan. Make time to nurse or pump your breast milk, build in blocks of time to rest, eat, and hydrate. Say "no" occasionally to events to lower stress and worry.

For holiday chores, enlist help from family, friends, neighbors, and even any older kids in your life. This is an important part of the breastfeeding relationship -- involving others.

At Go-Lacta, we're passionate about supporting mamas during the holidays -- and every time of year!