Let me let y'all in on a secret. Breastfeeding is boring.
Like, BORING.
Watching paint dry might be more exciting. Listening to a member of the Tea Party is more interesting. Seriously, B to the O to the R-ING. Boring.
And it can be so frustrating to just sit there and nurse for what seems like forever. But, it doesn't have to be.
Here's my tips on how to survive the boredom of breastfeeding.
How to Survive the Boredom of Breastfeeding
Read a book or a magazine.
Everyone told me over and over how I would be way too busy to read after Melanie was born. They were all WRONG.
In the beginning, you spend 30-45 minutes every 2-3 hours nursing. That's a whopping 6-8 hours a day.
So keep a stack of books or magazines within arm's reach and knock yourself out. Just don't read a funny book or you'll laugh so hard your nipple will keep falling out of the baby's mouth coughcoughmecoughcough.
Watch TV.
This is an easy one. Flip on the tube and enjoy.
I actually made a point to record entire seasons of a few of my favorite shows while I was pregnant so I could enjoy them during those long breastfeeding marathons.
Play around on your phone.
Got a smart phone? Then you've got the whole world at your finger tips. I spent time catching up with friends and family on the various social media outlets and I also downloaded some games that helped pass the time.
FYI, I still play those games while I nurse Melanie.
Practice your photography.
Either bust out that handheld or fire up your phone because a nursing/sleepy baby is a great (i.e. immobile) subject.
Extra points if you remember to breastfeed by a window with gorgeous natural light.
Sing.
It's natural to want to sing to your baby. So why not make nursing time a special time for singing?
Either pick a theme or choose a soon-to-be special song that you bust out every time.
Talk.
I think I talked to my little sister and husband more in those early days while I nursed than I did during our day-to-day activities.
It was quiet and comfortable and intimate – the perfect setting for some sweet conversations.
Cuddle your pets.
Your time can be really limited with a new baby and usually that means that your pets take a backseat.
Very shortly into my breastfeeding foray, my cat discovered that while that bald, screaming thing was attached to my boob – she could get many uninterrupted minutes of snuggles.
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