Top tips on blogging and using social media for breastfeeding
Blogging, social media and breastfeeding; not natural bedfellows, you’d think?
Well, read on…It’s National Breastfeeding Week and I’m taking part in the Keep Britain Breastfeeding Scavenger Hunt, along with a whole load of other brilliant bloggers. Today’s theme is around top tips for breastfeeding. I know lots of other mums taking part would have great advice about latching and so on, so I wanted to focus on another area instead. Social media would be my big tip for breastfeeding – there’s so many ways it helped me, and continues to do so:
Are you sitting comfortably?
- Firstly, get a smartphone! Babies breastfeed an awful lot for a long time when they’re younger and having the internet on your phone gives you a window to the outside world, keeps you awake and helps you feel less isolated when you’re trapped on sofa feeds or under a post-feed sleepy baby. Phones are a lot easier to hold with one hand than a laptop or an iPad – believe me, I’ve tried
- Make sure your phone is charged when you sit down to feed (or sit near a socket)
- I bought – and still use – the Widgy pillow for the baby and a V-shaped pillow for propping up behind me. But try out different things – it’s whatever works for you and the baby
Now lets begin…
- Twitter is completely invaluable when you’re breastfeeding; it’s a lifeline to know that you’re not alone and other people are awake at 3am…and 4am, 5am and so on. Through hashtags like #3amfc or #nightfeeds I met a whole load of other mums who were up with babies (however they were feeding). And even at normal times of the day, Twitter mums – and dads – were and still are a fantastic source of advice and comfort
- The best time to pin on Pinterest is 2-4am. As this is when you’re likely to be up for nightfeeds anyway, it’s perfect timing (here I am, follow me)
- YouTube, iPlayer, TV Catch-up and so on are all available for mobile and mean you can watch all the TV programmes you’ve probably missed that evening
- Read blogs! I read so many blogs in the early days of feeding; it’s such a good time to catch-up. I even had a special ‘nightfeeds’ folder of my favourites
- Blogs are also a great source of support around breastfeeding. I still remember reading Fritha’s post about overcoming her initial problems
- As I never seemed to have the time to blog myself during the day, I started drafting posts during feeds by typing them up one-handed on the ‘notes’ app on my phone (I still do this! It’s how I’ve written this post)
- I also edit and process all my blog photos on mobile apps like Afterlite, PicFrame, A Beautiful Mess and using the Instagram filters. Top tip: put your phone on the ‘airplane mode’ setting if you want to process but not publish on Instagram
- And the WordPress iPhone app is actually OK for publishing posts without having to go on a laptop
If you have a blog to add to my feed reading list, let me know (especially if it’s yours!)
Here’s some other bloggers taking part in the hunt so be sure to check them out:
Simply Hayley / Life, Love and Living with Boys / Diary of a First Child / Oh So Amelia / The Brick Castle
70 Comments
Circus Queen
June 24, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Haha! I love this! Social media has given me the courage to explore a lot of parenting ideas I might not have otherwise! My tip is to get someone to help with the basic housework. One less thing to think about.
Kathy Cakebread
June 24, 2013 at 2:01 pm
use vaseline for cracked nipples
Susan
June 24, 2013 at 2:14 pm
Keep it private as the world dont need to see your boobs
Sarah Parkin
June 24, 2013 at 2:27 pm
My top tip for breastfeeding is use a band on your wrist to keep track of which side you fed on last.
Emma @ Mummy Musings
June 24, 2013 at 4:12 pm
No tips from me, I’m on the lookout for them being 6 months pregnant. Loving the KBBF posts this week so far
peggy rossiter
June 24, 2013 at 5:43 pm
Give yourself and baby plenty of time. Relax. Eat well and drink lots. Enjoy this special time.
Samantha J
June 24, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Try different positions to see which is most comfortable for you both
Helen O’Keeffe
June 24, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Use your mobile to enter competitions to win lovely stuff while you are feeding 🙂
Sarah
June 24, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Just relax and enjoy
Mary-Anne Barry
June 24, 2013 at 7:39 pm
Drink tons of water
Jo welsh
June 24, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Use a hairband or bracelet round your wrist and change to which side you are using next for feeding sounds silly but you can forget especially if you get baby brain like I did!!!
Victoria Androsova
June 24, 2013 at 8:17 pm
relax an try to enjoy
Louisa Mayes
June 24, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Wear nursing tops when going out if you are nervous about feeding in public as they help you be more discreet x
Isabel O’Brien
June 24, 2013 at 8:57 pm
I don’t have a tip as I am entering for my sister, but she would say just relax and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
esther james
June 24, 2013 at 9:02 pm
Get as much help as you can with getting the Latch right, it is crucial
Donna McP
June 24, 2013 at 9:37 pm
This is a great take on the days topic, my smart phone got me through some very late nights feeding, I also had the company of some lovely ladies on twitter in the wee small hours when I was in labour and everyone else in the house was sleeping….. no idea who they are in real life but they were wonderful!
my top tip would be to get to your local support groups before baby arrives, meet the breastfeeding supporters and local breastfeeding mums. These people and their companionship, support, knowledge and experience will be so valuable to you, and its easier to go to them after baby is born if you have already met them
Lorraine
June 24, 2013 at 9:55 pm
Learn how to breastfeed lying down. It’s a life saver for endless night feeds.
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June 25, 2013 at 6:21 am
[…] Through hashtags like #3amfc or #nightfeeds I met a whole load of other mums who were up with babies (however they were feeding). And even at normal times of the day, Twitter mums – and dads – were and still are a fantastic source of advice and comfort – I really got into Twitter when Arlo was born for similar reasons. Gill from A Baby on Board shares her fab tips about breastfeeding and Social Media […]
Priya
June 25, 2013 at 7:22 am
relax and let go off tension
David O’Brien
June 25, 2013 at 8:01 am
Entering for my wife, she has weapons grade morning-sickness. She’s using the iBaby app. Nervous 1st time Dad.
sc2987
June 25, 2013 at 9:08 am
I used to read my Kindle during the long evening feeds in bed…
Alexandra Willetts
June 25, 2013 at 10:09 am
Relax and enjoy, it doesn’t last for ever so treasure it x
Laura Moore
June 25, 2013 at 10:52 am
Be prepared. Do your research on normal newborn behaviour before your baby is born.
stacey kirkbride
June 25, 2013 at 11:26 am
have cooling pads waiting in the fridge so you can sooth sore nipples straight after feeding
Emma
June 25, 2013 at 7:16 pm
Lie on your side with your head on a pillow. Nestle your baby close to you, with her head in the crook of your arm, her mouth level with your nipple, and her tummy against yours.
Samantha
June 25, 2013 at 9:42 pm
My top tip is never let anyone question your milk supply, if your baby is producing plenty of wet and dirty nappies then your doing a good job 🙂
jessica agyin
June 26, 2013 at 6:46 am
vaseline for cracked nipples
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Claire Doyle
June 26, 2013 at 11:01 am
I breast fed all my three children and now my daughter is due in September and she is going to breast feed too.Every child is different in there needs.
Ness Gorton (@baggiesbabe69)
June 26, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Be comfortable & don’t let people stop you feeding when & where you want. It’s only natural.
Another Goldfish
June 26, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Not yet I’m afraid.
Theresa
June 26, 2013 at 7:17 pm
Relax and enjoy and find what works best for you and your baby.
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Tracy Hudson
June 28, 2013 at 5:05 am
Be comfortable and have everything you need to hand. Bottle of water, snacks, mobile etc
Emma
June 28, 2013 at 5:25 am
Totally agree Gill! Also keep a big drink nearby. In the early days I kept a sports flask next to the bed so I didn’t have to sit up to drink at those times when you wake up really thirsty! Lying down flat was such a luxury in between feeds, especially post c-section, I didn’t want thirst to make me sit up!
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Kate
June 28, 2013 at 8:48 pm
Lots of games! Candy Crush all the way!
Samantha Bowes
June 28, 2013 at 9:25 pm
Brill tips. I spend most of my time playing silly games and reading books on my phone while feeding so I kind of get where you’re coming from.
I think my best tip would be not to feel guilty about sitting down and feeding and perhaps doing things on your phone. I can only do phone things when my son has drifted off into a boobie milk induced sleep these days as he gets curious about the lights or what mummy’s looking at! But if they’ve fallen asleep whilst feeding you still have to sit there so why sit there staring into space when you can catch up on the world around you!
Annie Costa
June 29, 2013 at 2:56 pm
before beginning breastfeeding have everything you need nearby such as your mobile and use moisturizing nipple cream afterwards to sooth cracked nipples.
Red Rose Mummy
June 29, 2013 at 11:02 pm
My tip would be to identify your supporters before you have your baby – make sure they are people you can rely on to give you advice as soon as you need it.
Emily Morris
July 1, 2013 at 9:10 am
I used lanolin ointment on my nipples faithfully morning and night and never experienced any cracking or bleeding when I started nursing.
Sharon
July 1, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Relax, keep calm and enjoy it as much as you can!
Plus, use a nursing pillow to avoid backache 🙂
Becky John
July 2, 2013 at 4:37 am
Appreciate that baby will take up much of your time in the early days with demand feeding. Leave chores for others to do as your priority is your baby.
Jennifer Hudson
July 2, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Relax!
Rebecca Nisbet
July 3, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Patience! And feed your baby when they are hungry not every two hours
KATHARINE BOURNE-FRANCIS
July 3, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Relax and let your baby lead 🙂
Natalie Crossan
July 3, 2013 at 9:04 pm
If it’s hurting, try to concentrate on a TV show. I had several different midwives who all confirmed that I was breastfeeding correctly but what I was experiencing was “let down pain” and I found conversations with friends and television really helped take my mind off it. 🙂
Erica Price
July 4, 2013 at 6:24 am
I’d say co sleep (taking precautions to ensure safety) because that’s the only way I got through the nights.
David Conway
July 4, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Bring the baby to the breast not the breast to the baby 🙂
Janine Atkin
July 4, 2013 at 5:17 pm
i havent breastfed yet so im just enjoying the comments and hope i learn something
Ruth Davies
July 5, 2013 at 9:23 am
have patience!
carol boffey
July 5, 2013 at 10:21 am
have patience
louise driscoll
July 5, 2013 at 10:49 am
Give yourself and your baby time. At the start this is new for the pair of you so just enjoy this amazing bonding experience.
Don’t let anyone hold you back with negative comments.
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Samantha R
July 5, 2013 at 10:57 am
take the time to get it right
karen dixon
July 5, 2013 at 12:11 pm
no tip- but would love to win
Emma Nicol
July 5, 2013 at 12:29 pm
Tip relax and the baby will too
donna large
July 5, 2013 at 2:21 pm
dont give up if
Becky Downey
July 5, 2013 at 7:27 pm
get a good chair
Samantha Fernley
July 5, 2013 at 9:14 pm
Keep a breastfeeding scarf in your bag, great for keeping snug and private.
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