There is a tension and posture that typically accompany early nursing or pumping. Most lactating parents hunch their shoulders forward and maintain tension in their bodies.
Sometimes, like when pumping with a double electric pump, there is a need for a slight forward tip to be sure milk doesn’t back flow or leak.
Nursing parents tend to hunch forward to watch baby’s sucking and swallowing pattern.
As you begin to trust that milk will flow and baby will swallow, you can start relaxing your body.
Once you latch or begin pumping, check in with your body.
Is your jaw clenched? Relax your jaw.
Are your shoulders tense and raised? Drop your shoulders.
Is there a tightness in your chest? Take a slow deep breath.
Do you need a stool? How does it feel to deepen your seat? Does it help you lean back somewhat?
Check in with your arms. Are they flexed and tight holding onto baby or the flanges? Can you release tension? How can you let your support pillows better support you? When pumping are you using a hands free pumping bra? Can you fully let go of the flanges?
When nursing, is there a pillow beneath your arms holding the baby? Adjust this pillow so that you can fully release your arms into it, perhaps by propping an additional pillow under your pillow.
Some find it helpful to use an airplane neck pillow to be able to rest your head and neck.
Change up where you nurse or pump to see if there is a chair that better supports your whole body.
As you progress through nursing, you may find you are ready to move away from pillow supports. When you do this, work on rotating the baby’s hips toward your body. It will feel like the weight of the baby shifts away from your arm and onto your belly. Prop a pillow under your elbow when you can.
15-30 minutes of nursing and pumping is a long time to be holding tension in your body. Make it a point to check in with your body and ask yourself, “what do I need to be relaxed and comfortable?”
