Breastfeeding is the best food you can give a baby during its first months of life, and it is recommended to continue offering it for at least two years, according to the World Health Organization.
Babies have to alternate feedings from one breast to the other, but sometimes it is difficult to remember which one is their turn. Therefore, we share seven tricks to know what breast you have given your baby .
Remembering which breast you gave the baby and which is the next one can be a bit difficult, especially in those first weeks after delivery, because with all the routine changes and sleepless nights, it is to be expected that we will have small forgetfulness , including this.
The tricks that I will share with you are easy to perform and will help you a lot in this regard, in addition to the fact that they mostly require few things and are basically about using something to point to one side of your body that will serve as a guide for taking your shots. baby
Wearing the bra strap
I recently shared some practical tips for the days after delivery, in which I mentioned using the bra strap to remember which breast you gave the baby. You can attach a small brooch, ribbon, or pin to one of the straps, so you know which chest is next.
Put a hair tie in your hand
Similar to the trick of placing something on the strap of the bra, using a hair tie in one hand can help you know which breast you have already given to the baby, changing it side with each feeding. If you usually pick up your hair, remember not to use that rubber band to do it, because you could get confused and not know which chest is next.
Special bracelet to remember
Another great alternative to mark one side of your body and know which breast you have already given the baby, is to use a breastfeeding bracelet , which you have chosen specifically for it. You can buy one that has been made for this purpose, such as those that say “Play this”, or choose a bracelet to your liking and designate that function.
Or a special ring
Another alternative to the bracelet and that can also serve us and work well, is to choose a ring and use it to serve as a guide and we can remember what breast we have given the baby. Take into account the activities you do and opt for something simple, so that it does not get in the way and you can do your activities regularly, especially if you are not used to wearing rings.
Application on your mobile
Now with the use of technology and smartphones, we can also use an application on our mobile, which helps us not only remember which breast is the baby’s turn, but also keep track of the number of feedings taken per day , as well as the frequency of these (although we must remember that breastfeeding must be on demand).
There are different applications with which you can support yourself, some are a kind of baby diary in which it includes the record of its feeding, weight and other important data, or specialized applications to keep a record of breastfeeding , such as “Lactation Maternal Diary “that you can find for iPhone and Android.
Keep a breastfeeding journal
If mobile applications are not your thing, or you want something more visible to remember which breast you have given the baby, you can keep a small diary or lactation record in a notebook , in which you write down the data that interests you carry about your breastfeeding, including the side that you already fed your baby.
Something or object in the area where you usually breastfeed
Another idea that can be useful, especially for the first days when you usually spend the whole day at home, is to use something in the area where you breastfeed your baby. You can place a blackboard on which you write down which chest is the one you have given him, or perhaps place a flannel or some element on the back of the chair or place where you breastfeed, changing it side as required.
With these simple and practical tips I hope it will be easier for you to remember which breast you have already given your baby and enjoy a happy breastfeeding together.
Photo | iStock
