How do you do dinner for your toddler with a cluster feeding NB?

Erin060108 · August 2012

Hi, all!!

Haven't updated my siggy but my son is 1.5 weeks old (born 7/23). He has started cluster feeding in the evenings - wanting to nurse every 1.5 to 2 hours. I am struggling with how to make sure I have time to feed my DD and still meet DS' nursing needs.

DH doesn't get home from work until 7 so waiting on him to get here to help isn't really an option.

Any tips or tricks for surviving the evening circus are appreciated. TIA!

etude de la vie · August 2012

I had meals prepared the night before (even plated) so all I had to do was pull it out of the fridge and microwave the plate and I often was breastfeeding at the dining room table while DD ate or as I was feeding her.

I also kept sippy cups ready with milk and/or water so I wasn't pouring anything with a nursing baby in my arms.

lkm2006 · August 2012

I swear I read/saw somewhere that there is a sling that is meant for BF. That way your hands are still free and you can get up and move.

Maybe someone knows the name??

mayowife · August 2012

When DD was little I often BF her while sitting right at the dinner table. In your case I would prepare dinner earlier in the day and have a plate ready to go at dinner time. I'm sure a baby carrier would really help, but I would just hold DD with one hand and use my other hand to grab what I needed.

CaitlinJ22 · August 2012

make dinner when you can, even if its at 3 pm. Keep a place to put baby down in the kitchen so you can open an oven without holding the baby. Sit at the table and nurse. A lot of times I do "snack dinners" you know, cheese, crackers, beans, carrots, etc. easy to plate with one hand, no cooking and they love it.

you can also make a bunch of pasta and use it for a few days with various sides.

DH is gone for weeks at a time, its hard but we make do.