Living the Ecological Breastfeeding Lifestyle in a Fast Paced World

Modern life has become fast paced.  During this pandemic, people are realizing just how over scheduled they have become.  It is difficult for even the best of us to not fall into the trap of equating busyness with being a good mom or equating busyness with our value. We want to give our children the best of everything - the best activities, the best social experiences, the best education - but you know what is high up on that list, too?  Your presence!  And that is what ecological breastfeeding helps us do - give our wonderful breast milk to our babies but also our presence.

One of the benefits of the ecological breastfeeding lifestyle is that it helps us slow down and really “be” with our baby and our children.  There is something so simple and also spiritual about sitting down to nurse one’s baby.  Usually it starts with providing nourishment and comfort at the breast, but then it continues onto snuggles and tickling little toes and joyful laughs.  Not every nursing session, of course, is like that but many are.  By following your baby’s lead on when to nurse, you are increasing your chances of experiencing those joyful moments.  By co-sleeping in a safe manner with your baby, you get to wake actually more well rested than moms who feed their babies formula and you get to greet the start of the day alongside your bundle of joy.  Now, I know some of you might be thinking about all the times your baby woke to nurse last night (I nursed my five babies for 15 years and remember those nights well), but you have to admit that at least a few mornings per week you secretly enjoy seeing your baby cooing at you as you wake up.

But what about logistics? What if your daughter has ballet class on Wednesday afternoons and your son has baseball practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays?  Maybe you homeschool and that takes up a chunk of time each day or your kids are in school and you need to pick them up at 3:30?  When is there time to practice ecological breastfeeding?

By practicing ecological breastfeeding, you can just grab a diaper, wipes and possibly a spare outfit for baby and go.  No need to make sure your baby’s favorite “paci” is in the bag; all he or she needs is you! You might want to pack a small bag of snacks, toys and books to keep your older nursing baby or other children happy while their older sister practices her ballet recital piece in class.  However, I have found that nursing babies often enjoy just going along for the ride and staying close to mom and nursing.

You might try planning ahead if you need to pick up your older kids from school at a certain time.  Offer your baby the breast close to the time you will leave and maybe change baby’s diaper before nursing. If it is a distance to the school, you can always leave earlier than you need just in case your baby needs you to pull over and nurse him or her for a few minutes along the way.

Is it difficult to homeschool your older children while ecologically breastfeeding?  I have found that it weaves in quite nicely with the homeschool lifestyle.  Baby can easily nurse or nap-nurse while you read to your other children or while you help your son with math.  If you need to help your kids with an art project or a science experiment, maybe wait until your baby has nursed for a good long time to sleep and is ready to be put down in a safe place like a bassinet on the floor close to where you and the older ones are busy learning and having fun.

What about trips?  Not having to worry about bringing a thermometer, NFP charts, or feminine hygiene products while on a special trip with my family has been wonderful!  Because ecological breastfeeding gives nursing moms in the North American culture an average of 14-15 months of lactational amenorrhea per baby, there is a good chance you will go on a trip while not cycling.

There may be times you will be invited to a party or a function and will not want to leave your baby at home.  Don’t assume your baby will not be welcomed.  Talk to the host and ask.  You may be pleasantly surprised to find out they would be happy for you to bring your munchkin.  I have taken my nursing babies to retreats, a formal dinner related to my husband’s work, a homeschool conference, and even to sing in the choir at Mass.

Intrigued to learn more about ecological breastfeeding?  Sheila Kippley has a great summary that will help you get started.  If you want to delve more deeply into the philosophy of this lifestyle, here are three books that should answer most of your questions:

Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing
The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor
Getting Started with Breastfeeding: For Catholic Mothers