Before I became a parent, I was led to believe by the Blissed-Out League of Nursing Enthusiasts that breastfeeding was a walk in the park: It’s simple. It’s pain-free. The baby will always be on board. Every mother will effortlessly nurse while multitasking—cooking dinner, managing a toddler, and even drafting a blog post all at once.
While I now proudly identify as a member of this league, the reality of breastfeeding isn’t always as smooth as I envisioned. Our nighttime routine, especially with our reflux baby, is far from picture-perfect.
If you’re nursing and find yourself longing for that ideal scenario—waking up with tousled hair and a fresh smile, effortlessly cradling your cooing baby while nursing in bed—let me assure you, that’s not my life. If that is your reality, you rock! But for those dealing with a reflux baby, I’ve crafted a practical 21-step guide to nighttime nursing that you can follow.
- Wake up to the sounds of soft grunting. Jump out of bed before the noise escalates to a full-blown wail.
- Navigate your way to the rocking chair in darkness, ensuring that no light disturbs the baby’s slumber. Position your nursing pillow securely.
- Politely ask your partner for a glass of water—nursing leaves you thirstier than a desert wanderer.
- Gently bring baby to your breast.
- After a few peaceful minutes, your baby may grow fidgety. Observe the signs: Is he still hungry? Has he overindulged? Is he rooting for more? Yes, he must be hungry!
- Offer the breast again.
- Oops! Suddenly, your baby releases a fountain of milk all over you. Recognize that he simply needs to be burped.
- Attempt to sit him upright while milk spills everywhere. Grab a burp cloth and wipe away the mess—both his and yours.
- Pat his back until at least one of your shoulders is drenched in spit-up, thinking you’ve resolved the issue.
- In the dark, stumble to the changing table—his pajamas are now soaked. Unbutton them to reveal a diaper that’s about to burst.
- Change the diaper, only to be surprised by an unexpected spray of pee.
- Switch on the light briefly to secure his diaper tabs and clean up the surrounding area with a baby wipe.
- Wrestle him into fresh pajamas.
- Place him back in the bassinet, but since you turned on the light, baby is now wide awake and ready to party.
- Ignore his alertness for just 15 minutes—surely that’s not too much to ask? Crawl back into bed, defeated and smelling of curdled milk.
- Listen for sputtering. Panic strikes as you realize baby is choking on his own spit-up. Quickly dab his cheeks and neck.
- Lay back down.
- For 15 more minutes. Wake up to grunting again; he’s grown hungry once more.
- Bring him back to breast and repeat the earlier steps as needed.
- Ultimately decide to let him sleep in a saggy diaper, milk crusted on his face.
- Tell yourself it’s okay, just for tonight. Tomorrow at 3 a.m., you’ll wake up looking flawless and ready to conquer the world.
For additional insights on home insemination, check out this blog post. It may just give you the information you need for your journey. If you’re seeking advice on fertility, Make a Mom is a fantastic resource. Also, for a deeper understanding of intrauterine insemination, consider Cleveland Clinic’s guide.
Summary: Navigating nighttime nursing with a reflux baby can be challenging, filled with unexpected messes and interruptions. However, with a structured routine and the right mindset, it’s possible to manage those late-night feedings while maintaining a sense of humor and hope for a more peaceful tomorrow.