Before becoming a parent, I was led to believe that breastfeeding would be a seamless experience—effortless, painless, and absolutely cooperative. I imagined myself multitasking like a pro, nursing while cooking dinner, managing a toddler, and even typing out blog posts without missing a beat. But the reality? Far from it.
As a proud member of the breastfeeding community, I can tell you that nursing isn’t always easy or pain-free—especially when your little one has reflux. Our nighttime routine is a far cry from those picture-perfect promos. So, if you’re navigating the tumultuous waters of nursing a reflux baby, here’s a straightforward 21-step routine you can adopt:
- Wake up to the sound of grunting. Leap out of bed before it escalates into full-blown wailing.
- Stumble your way to the rocking chair in the dark—light is your enemy here. Secure the Boppy pillow around your waist and ensure burp cloths, towels, and wipes are within reach.
- Politely ask your partner to bring you a glass of water; nursing makes you feel parched, like you’ve just crossed the Sahara.
- Bring your baby to your breast.
- After a few blissful moments of nursing, pay attention as your baby starts to squirm. Is he still hungry, or does he need a burp? You’ll need to decode his signals.
- Try nursing again.
- Oops! Baby suddenly ejects milk everywhere. Realize that he needs a burp more than another sip of milk.
- Pat his back until you’re both soaked in spit-up. Crying is inevitable, so grab a burp cloth for both of you.
- In the dark, shuffle to the changing table, only to discover that your little one’s pajamas are now soaked.
- As you change his diaper, brace yourself for an unexpected spray of pee.
- Turn on the light.
- Secure that diaper quickly and do a hasty clean-up of anything wet with a baby wipe.
- Dress your baby in fresh pajamas.
- Place him back in his bassinet, but alas, the light has woken him up.
- Ignore his newfound alertness for just 15 minutes. Is that too much to ask for some sleep? Crawl back into bed, smelling of curdled milk.
- Listen for sputtering. Panic when you hear that familiar sound—baby is choking on his own spit-up. Clean him up quickly.
- Lie back down.
- For 15 minutes. Wake up to more grunting, as he’s ready to nurse again.
- Repeat the steps, in any order that seems fit.
- Eventually, decide he can just sleep in a wet diaper with dried milk on his face.
- Convince yourself it’s just for one night. Tomorrow morning, you’ll wake up refreshed with perfect hair and a bright smile.
If you found this routine relatable, you’re not alone. For more tips on navigating the world of parenting and breastfeeding, check out this insightful piece here. And for those considering at-home insemination options, CryoBaby offers excellent syringe kits to help you on your journey. Additionally, if you’re seeking more information about the success rates of IUI, this resource is worth a look.
In summary, navigating the challenges of nursing a reflux baby can be daunting, but with a little humor and the right strategies, it’s possible to make it through the night.
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