10 Realistic Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day Whilst Breastfeeding

As a breastfeeding mama, the thought of celebrating Valentine’s Day may sound exciting, or it may sound like a ridiculous notion. If your boobs are tender, you’re sleep-deprived and you feel like you have lost yourself in a whirlwind of nappies and breast pads - is it any wonder that romance is that last thing on your mind? Whilst I agree wholeheartedly that the postpartum period is a uniquely precious time for recovery and recuperation, I also believe that we can and should always make time for reconnecting with the people we love who aren’t our children. Not in spite of ourselves, but as part of our own self love and self care.

Motherhood is so all-consuming that it can be difficult to remember who you were before you became the default parent who is on call 24/7/365. If you have a partner, then the 14th February may be the ideal opportunity for you to remind one another that you are more than ‘just’ parents. If you are single, it could be the day that you dedicate some quality time to loving yourself. Whether it is making time for your husband, your work wife, your best friend or yourself, you deserve time to celebrate love in all of its forms - especially as a nursing mother.

When we truly love and look after ourselves, our children benefit too - not just by our boosted mood and wellness, but by the example that we set for them. So if you had written off Valentine’s Day this year, I urge you to rethink whether or not you can make time to recognize and love yourself and maybe someone else in a small but meaningful way. Here are my top ten tips for celebrating Valentine’s Day as a nursing mama:

1) A Daytime Date

However far along you are in your breastfeeding journey, it may not be an option for you to go on a date in the evening like you used to pre-parenthood. Even if you can arrange childcare on Valentine’s night, you may not feel comfortable leaving your little one at home if they are usually nursed to sleep. There’s nothing romantic about spending the majority of your date night worrying about whether or not your baby has fallen asleep in your absence. Instead, why not go on a date during the daytime? It will probably be easier to arrange childcare for a brunch or lunch date and it will take away the added stress of worrying over your baby’s bedtime, too.

2. Upgrade your Underwear

Treat yourself (or get someone else to) by buying some sexy new nursing underwear. Yes, it exists! Hot Milk Lingerie (UK) and Cake Maternity (International) are two of my favourite breastfeeding lingerie brands precisely because their styles are beautiful and practical. Irrespective of whether or not anyone else will be seeing it, you deserve comfortable, luxurious, well-fitting underwear! For smaller busted mamas, I also love Marrow and Mint's (International) bralettes which are stunningly pretty and soft - mine is comfortable enough to wear to bed.

3. Dress to Impress

Our clothes have the power to transform how we feel. If your current wardrobe leaves you feeling less than fabulous check out the following brands to find something that is breastfeeding-friendly and that makes you feel gorgeous too:

• Juno Jacks - classic and timeless print dresses & twinning with your mini!

• Stylish Mum - fun, bright & quirky prints, dresses, jumpsuits & hoodies.

• Nursing Queen - flattering, stylish casual & formal nursing wear in a great range of sizes.

• Latched Mama - cosy, versatile & casual nursing-wear based in the US.

I highly recommend joining the CIBFII (Can I Breastfeed in it?) group on Facebook too, for inspiration and to make pre-loved purchases.

4. Three (or More) Doesn’t Have to be a Crowd

If you cannot arrange childcare so that you and your lover can go out child-free, perhaps you can arrange a meal or outing with other friends or family, so that you have enough support with your little one(s) to be able to eat your meal before it goes cold! Valentine's Day may well look different as parents, but it does not have to be a complete non-event if you want to recognise the day.

4. Dinner and a Movie (In)

Whether it is dinner for two or lunch for one, treat yourself and/or your bae to your favourite take-away. Use disposable plates and cutlery too so that no-one has to think about dirty dishes afterwards!

5. Cook Together

If you and your partner enjoy cooking, why not do it together? Cook your favourite foods, sharing the responsibility of making the meal, perhaps preparing a course each. If you have older children, you could even delegate making a dish or two to them to make!

6. Disconnected to Reconnect

If you do nothing else and you cannot get out without your babe, dedicate your time to your Valentine by have a no-screen-time night in. Instead of being pre-occupied by work emails, social media and messages, switch off your devices and simply be together. Cook together, do the bedtime routine together and then simply sit and talk to one another without any other distractions.

7. Bridge the Gap

FaceTime, voice notes & Zoom - if you and you’re partner cannot be together this Valentine’s Day, make time to reach out to them with voice notes or video calls. Wear your favourite outfit as you do so and allow yourselves to be together in every way that you can.

8. A Touchy Subject

Being intimate with your loved one again postpartum can be a difficult subject to navigate at any time of year, without the added pressure that Valentine’s Day can bring. If you simply don’t feel like being amorous again just yet, be open & honest with your partner about how you feel rather than leaving anything left to assumptions. If sex is off the cards for you, you can still be intimate by holding hands, cuddling, or massaging one another. There is also nothing more intimate than speaking openly and honesty to one another and simply listening to each other without judgement. Read more about breastfeeding and how it can affect your libido here.

9. Get Crafty

Celebrate with your little ones if they are old enough to enjoy valentines crafts, wearing pink or red, making heart shaped foods and writing cards for the people you love.

10. Go Shopping for Gifts Together

Family life can be hectic enough without having to worry about buying your lover a gift that they may hate. Take the guesswork out of gift-buying by going shopping together and buying one another something that you both really want!

Whether you choose to celebrate Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day or not, I hope that you know that you deserve as much love and care as your precious baby (every day of the year).

With love,

Danielle

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These tips are adapted from my debut book, ‘The Breastfeeding Survival Guide’ - available here.