Nursing Baby Champuru takes up a good portion of my day: 40 minutes at a time, every 2-3 hours, so I’ve learned to multi-task somewhat while she’s happily quiet and busy.  In fact, as I’m typing this entry, she is attached to my boob.  I haven’t figured out how to do other things, like cooking or laundry while nursing yet, but I figure at least I can do some work (or play!) on the computer while baby is occupied.  This makes me happy.  After all, I’m all about making good use of my time!

I have a sling, a peanut shell, and a Beco baby carrier that I have yet to try out.  Perhaps using a carrier might help me do more around the house during the day.  I’m just a little leery about putting her in a carrier while she’s so small and fragile.  Babywearing mamas, did you put your newborn in a carrier right away?  Or did you wait a while?

While I’m nursing, I’m also playing Okinawan music for baby to listen to.  I’m hoping that this early exposure will nuture a familiarity and love for her culture that will continue throughout her life.  (I’ll make her a Toru Yonaha fan yet!)  Next, I’ll have to teach her how to dance kachashi!

Champuru Nursing Must-Haves:

The green pillow you see baby lying on is a My Brest Friend nursing pillow that I received as a baby shower gift.  Let me tell you, I cannot live without it.  When I was learning how to breastfeed in the hospital, the lactation consultant helped me wedge about six pillows all around me, on my lap, behind my back, and on my sides to achieve proper nursing position of the baby.  It was frustrating, to say the least, to have to fluff and prop those pillows perfectly every time it was time to feed baby.  When I got home, I started using the My Brest Friend pillow and it made it so much easier.  The wrap-around pillow is like a platform for baby and a backrest for me, allowing me to keep my arms and shoulders relaxed.  When I was nursing in the hospital, I found that my arms, shoulders, and neck were always tense, trying to keep baby in the proper position.  With the nursing pillow, both baby and I are comfortable.

Another nursing must-have is a nursing stool.  I have the Medela Nursing Stool, which is $25.95 on Amazon.com.  I think we paid close to $35 locally. (DOH!)