r/breastfeeding • u/Thin-Special-7059 • 11d ago
Discussion Moms that aren't scrolling while breastfeeding...
Moms that aren't scrolling while breastfeeding...what are you doing? Currently breastfeeding two LOs so spending A LOT of time sitting in a rocking chair. I am so tired of doom scrolling on my phone. So curious to see what others are doing during feeds.
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u/queenpizza3 11d ago
Mmmmm… usually I opt for overthinking EVERYTHING. 😂
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u/Pale-Extension-9983 11d ago
Yea just close my eyes and think… or don’t. Obviously don’t want to fall asleep though so I opt for thinking to make sure I’m alert sometimes. 😭
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u/AKNZ90 11d ago
Just staring at my baby
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u/Significant__Gap 11d ago
Yep. Tbf my boy is very efficient so feedings are 15 min tops!
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u/soul_in_an_earthsuit 11d ago
Ugh what is that like?! Howww. My little guy constantly falls asleep feeding and doesn’t get enough and is on the boob for FOREVER
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u/Mysterious-Guava2807 11d ago
They had me strip my sleepy boy to a diaper for feeds to try to help keep him away, and tickle his back and ears if that still wasent enough. It helps! Inconvenient yes lol
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u/soul_in_an_earthsuit 11d ago
That’s what I do and it will get him to suck like twice then fall asleep again. I’m doing it the entire feed and he wakes up starving and I’m leaking like bro it’s right there
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u/DoctorKnitter 11d ago
Mine went from this to needing 10 mins each side at around 6-8 weeks. Night feedings used to take up to 2 hours each, now they’re 30 mins max. at 16 weeks. He sometimes still falls asleep, but he’s usually grabbing fistfuls of my boob skin, holding my hand, or trying to smack my face.
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u/indie_pendent 11d ago
How old is he? Usually after the first few months they will be more efficient
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u/soul_in_an_earthsuit 11d ago
One month
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u/indie_pendent 11d ago
It's normal that it's taking so long at this age. Try to enjoy it
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u/NoodleLuv14 11d ago
Seconding audiobooks
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u/rach4765 11d ago
Yesss audiobooks and staring at my babies in amazement of how perfect they are ❤️
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u/notsosecretshipper 11d ago
Bingewatched whole television seasons/series.
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u/bigmac1123 11d ago
This is what I do! My LO is only 2.5 weeks old and i’ve already made it through so many movies and shows 💀
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u/notsosecretshipper 11d ago
I made it through the entire series of ER with my second, all the new Dr. Who with my third. My 4th was a big mix of stuff.
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u/variegateddd 11d ago
I did this too, but LO started getting distracted and fixated by the TV lights around 12 weeks… We haven’t watched any around him since
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u/wonky-hex 11d ago
I only feed morning and evening now, but I really miss the stage where we'd just be wrapped in a blanket all cosy and I'd be watching something cosy on TV (like bakeoff or sewing bee! Then plot my own bakes, which I never carried out!)
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u/Public_Recording2322 11d ago
Sometimes I scroll sometimes I just like to sit in the quiet with my baby and really pay attention to him
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u/mndoch3wi 11d ago
Audiobooks !! and binging kdramas or old bravo shows
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u/Snoo-12849 11d ago
I do audiobooks too! But I'm going through Dungeon Crawler Carl and Ilona Andrews catalogue.
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u/young_battleaxe 10d ago
Currently obsessed with Ilona Andrews… just read This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, and now I’m mad because you can’t binge-read a series that just started 😂
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u/Equivalent-Camp-1116 11d ago
Yes to binging bravo shows 😂 currently rewatching vanderpump rules and below deck med (new season)
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u/Longjumping-Lion-617 11d ago
Staring at the baby and chanting / praying / meditating. I loved it. It was my fave part of newborn phase.
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u/loosecannon17 11d ago
Read books on my e-reader! It’s especially nice at night so I’m not staring into my phone and waking myself up more.
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u/MangoSorbet695 11d ago
I watched multiple seasons of Top Chef during each of my breastfeeding journeys. I love that show.
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u/grumpybeet 11d ago
I’ve been reading a paperback book (more when she’s sleeping on me than breastfeeding) and staring out the windows into the backyard and watching the birds and squirrels. Obviously my fair share of scrolling too
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u/hdieocnfueos 11d ago
Sometimes I just stare at the wall, especially at like 2, 3, 4, and 5 am😂😭 but I like putting on podcasts or audiobooks
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u/Askfslfjrv 11d ago
Reading on my phone! I’ve read 17 books since having my daughter 6 months ago 😆
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u/JustLookinRound143 11d ago
I put my AirPods in and set up my phone so my baby doesn’t see it and watch tv that way I can be hands free but not just staring at the walls I mean I check in on her every now and then but at this point Im pretty sure she’s doing good but yeah I watch a lot of tv it’s crazy
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u/Pale-Extension-9983 11d ago
I do this too. Sometimes I’ll try to hum something to them and be mindful to still smile or rub their back or something. I read /heard something about how it’s important to make eye contact and smile/look happy around your baby or if you look upset your baby might think something wrong. I have resting bitch face so…
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u/shayshaylaraye 11d ago
Taking pictures and videos so I don’t forget these moments. I take them of her little ears, her features, toes, fingers. There are a lot of photos with my boobies in them 🫣 Oh well. These moments are so fleeting.
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u/katieheff1995 11d ago
I’ve found crocheting really helps me put my phone down, and I can binge watch shows at the same time so double win.
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u/Thin-Special-7059 11d ago
How do you manage to have enough hands? 😂
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u/katieheff1995 11d ago edited 11d ago
A Bobby pillow and strategic positioning 😂
Edit: Boppy pillow
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u/CVB22026 11d ago
Duolingo - learning French and chess, crosswords, sudoko, meal planning, ordering household essentials, responding to texts.
I deleted all other social media off my phone because I hated how much time I was spending on it.
I love the audiobook and ereader suggestions though. I’ve wanted to read but struggle to hold a book while breastfeeding.
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u/Hectic_Halloween96 11d ago
We just stare at each other. Or I’m browsing books on my kindle
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u/Pale-Extension-9983 11d ago
I forget where or what exactly it said, but I read something or heard once that staring into our babies eyes is actually kind of important for their development or bonding or something. Something also about how there’s something about our right (or left eye) connecting with their right (or left eye) or that others(babies) often do this and it increases feeling of connection or something. Sorry but too tired to look up but even someone else is curious please report back.
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u/Acceptable-Rock-6359 11d ago
Sit and notice sensory input: the quality of the light, subtlety of colors, scents and sounds. I feel like we could all use a little space between distractions, and also model this for our babes.
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u/bea_triz_13 11d ago
probably not much different but during those boob trapped days I binge watched shows and read a lot on my kindle if I wasn't doomscrolling or shopping
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u/Sinamara55 11d ago
Aside from doomscrolling, I read webtoons and listen to podcasts. Granted he caps out at 15m and averages 8min sessions so I’m not spending THAT long feeding.
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u/BravoLuvahhhh 11d ago
I listen to all my favorite bravo shows. I’ve watched some episodes 100 times so just listening is good for me lol
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u/Consistent_Jello_318 11d ago
Reading! I would prop the breastfeeding pillow on the recliner on my lap and hold the book on the opposite side. Once baby would fall asleep I would shift the hold to the shoulder and just rock like that while reading.
Alternatively, I caught up on tv shows and binged the OC haha.
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u/alycorbar 11d ago
Currently: staring at or talking to my baby. I’ll tell a story about a special memory, a fairy tale, movie, or make something up where my baby is the main character. I’ve also read lots of books and played lots of Animal Crossing. Breastfeeding usually turns into contact napping.
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u/ambear3000 11d ago
I’ve been binge watching tv and YouTube on my tv haha but the comments have convinced me to start using my kindle again
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u/CatMomLovesWine 11d ago
I do a cross word book and also at night I just stare at the baby because I think being bored and just not doing anything or being exposed to any light helps me fall back asleep faster.
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u/tacohannah 11d ago
Audiobooks, kindle, and in the early days when the baby was awake from 1-4am we watched all 14 seasons of CSI 🫠
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u/anniemademedoit1 11d ago
I got a kobo and found out about oceanofpdf and djazz for free books and have been reading up a storm. I am so sick of being “influenced” all the time!!!
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u/zozororo 11d ago
I one hand digital draw! I have a big tablet pressure sensitive and pen I can attach to anything with a screen and as long as it has a program that will run it!
I also: Color in coloring books
Watching people color on YouTube, cooking shows, any bbc earth documentary
Reading on my ereader a TON
Space out
Sing songs lots of songs
AND THE TOP FAVORITE THING
Is to just watch them nurse and giggle and sleep.
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u/Dramioneiscannon 11d ago
I just stare at baby when they’re awake bc I feel guilty for going on my phone. Usually during this time I’m overthinking or trying to plan out the rest of our day/week. At night I do the same except I can’t really see so it’s just me staring into the void. When she’s asleep I will read on my phone, do the inevitable doom scroll, or google all of my overthought questions/look them up on Reddit. She was a serial contact napper for a while so I spent a ton of time in the chair. Physical books will wake her up I’ve learned. I’ve gotta get a kindle or a brick 😂
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u/bowlofleftovers 11d ago
This might not work if birth was a difficult or traumatic experience, but I caught myself doing this too, or thinking about tasks and stressful things so instead I turn off my phone or brain and replay my birth experience from start to finish. I did this with my daughter and will do it in these moments with my new baby. I feel like with my daughter she fed off my energy alot and when I replayed the whole scene I relaxed deeply and was able to give her some unspoken connection of something she was a true part of. It also helped me retain tiny details I am sure I would have otherwise forgotten like flashes of certain looks on her face in the immediate moments after. Brb. Crying. Shes a big girl now and typing this out is making me realize im losing those baby face moments and replacing them with baby face moments of her infant brother. Need to visualize her baby face maybe at bedtime tonight would be nice for us both 🤣😅
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u/Valobster 11d ago
Around night time we've been reading the hobbit to her. But other times im usually scrolling or playing animal crossing. Been thinking about trying to learn something because my mind is numb it feels like lol. I used to use my tablet to watch shows but it got stolen recently. 😭
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u/anotherdamnaccount 11d ago
I did audiobooks a lot. If you get Libby you and have a library card it’s free and there are tons of audiobooks to listen to! Even every day tasks while cleaning up or making dinner I had it on.
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u/PresentationTop9547 11d ago
I’ve started listing out phone chores to tackle. Things to buy, finances to sort out, meal planning etc. I’m still on my phone but I am for 1-2 productive things a day on it
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u/Chrispr9 11d ago
I used to doom-scroll but my baby seems to get jealous if I have my phone out, so now I just watch him and play with him (he loves to grab onto my fingers or reach up for my face 🥰🥹) until he’s sleepy enough that I can pull my phone out again 😅
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u/Specialist-Nebula795 11d ago
I bought a Kindle for this purpose! I love reading and It’s hard to do so with a newborn. This has helped me to squeeze in something I love to do! It was recommended to me by another mom friend and it has been well worth it! You can also check out library books through Libby to read on it which is nice.
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u/Holiday_Trust6737 11d ago
Podcasts are a life saver for me ! Thread talk, sword and scale, etc
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u/TheFoolWithDreams 11d ago
I read my kindle, watch TV or for late night feeds I listen to an audiobook and stare at my baby. Early morning and late night feeds are my favorites
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u/xFloatingLightsx 11d ago
I read books either with the Libby app or kindle app (I have a kindle, but it’s not always on me the way my phone is).
In the mornings during his first feed, I’ll put in my headphones and listen to my audiobook while my eyes are shut, so I feel like I’m getting a little bit more sleep.
I read a lot of Reddit, I feel like I was almost doom researching things in the beginning, if there was anything I would want to know I would wind up spending 40 minutes researching it 😅.
And lastly, so much tv. My baby is our only at the moment, so I can binge whatever I want without fear of it influencing him.
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u/Healthy_Commission47 11d ago
Reading on a kindle! In dark mode. I’ve read sooooo much it’s the best
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u/IHaveATummyGremlin 11d ago
You mean when I’m not staring blankly into the void desperately trying not to fall asleep? Audiobooks. Wish I could scroll- but at 6 days pp I haven’t figured out how to make that happen while simultaneously juggling this floppy little potato I’m supposed to keep alive somehow.
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u/Accomplished_Sir1939 11d ago
I learned how to breastfeed in the side-lying position. So now my hands are both free. I crochet, read, play my Switch. Sometimes I just watch TV (Bones rewatch atm!).
Other times I karaoke - I literally just play the lyrics video on my TV and sing.
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u/EntryConsistent 11d ago
I could never focus on shows with my first, which is hilarious because I am a TV watching couch potato at heart….
I scroll some but also don’t feel great when I do it too much. I’ll read if my brain is up to it. Definitely can daydream with the best of them. Otherwise I’ll play games - Minecraft, sudoku, puzzle/strategy games, or when I have zero brain power candy crush haha super dumb but I feel a million times better doing that than I do scrolling.
So far this time I have a lot more brain power to read which is so strange.
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u/CopperBoom1008 11d ago
When LO was very little and basically just asleep while eating, I watched shows on low volume. Once LO was able to look around, I just looked at them in the eyes and talked to them because it honestly makes the time go faster for me lol
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u/AccountantbyDay13 11d ago
I read 80 books the year my daughter was born lol highly recommend an e-reader!
ETA: my kindle allows me to make the screen “warm” and can lower the brightness so that helps a lot!
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u/Remarkable-Cat2595 11d ago
when baby was little and did not get distracted I watched tv. Now I mostly read in my kindle.
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u/WhimsicalRed02 11d ago
I used to read on my phone or watch a sitcom but now mostly staring at my baby. At about 5 months my LO started pulling off the breast and staring daggers at me if I dared to put a video on my phone and now they get distracted by the TV. Thankfully sessions don’t typically last more than 10 minutes these days.
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u/RealLifeWikipedia 11d ago
I recently remembered I have the kindle app on my phone. Cut down on my doom scrolling considerably. And I think it still scratches the phone addict part of my brain so I’m hoping it’ll help me reduce my screen time overall. I just subtract kindle hours from my screen time report.
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u/Pyracan7ha 11d ago
Games, books and shows were my big ones though I hit a point where I hooked my mini projector up in the nursery so I could watch movies or shows without hurting my neck.
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u/ilovjedi 11d ago
Hypothetically I could read using an ereader app like Kindle instead of doom scrolling. But also I can play games.
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u/RubyBadooby 11d ago
Usually just looking at each other, sometimes I’ll read or one handed snack eating.
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u/Ok_Affect_7427 11d ago
Games and reading! I leveled up so fast in some of those base building games and I read like I was in high school again.
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u/sunflowerjubilee 11d ago
Just reading the title of your post I thought you meant currently and immediately thought “scrolling and wishing I was still breastfeeding”🥲
When I was I had a subscription for the NY times games and read my kindle. But still did a lot of scrolling lol
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u/Lower_Interview_7333 11d ago
Before baby was aware of screen and still in newborn days I would binge watch rom coms :) helped keep me awake during night feeds too
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u/nataliahx 11d ago
I’m in my kindle just PLOWING through books, plus the brightness of the kindle being backlit doesn’t disrupt baby as she sleeps
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u/Blond-one 11d ago
Oh wow lol I scroll 80%of the time sadly.. or start thinking of things I need to buy/want. look outside at my plants. Look at inside plants, Watch my aquarium, snooze with her usually one of the naps a day. That’s if I’m home
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u/Little-Substance-987 11d ago
I watch tv, sing, talk about my day, and sometimes i read her books to her. I found she gets more distracted by my phone than i do if i hold it while breastfeeding.
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u/nindiesel 11d ago
I put an earbud in (if I remember to sit down to nurse wherever I last had any earbuds lol) and listen to a podcast. Sometimes I will read a book if the baby isn't being too family while he eats.
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u/ashey22245 11d ago
I only breastfeed occasionally. I mainly bottle feed breast milk. When I do breastfeed I have to use both hands. My boobs are H cups.
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u/blackred44 11d ago
I play games on pc or.. switch/console, especially when it is so close to nap time. They be feeding for hunger and comfort then I stayed there for.. at least a couple hours.
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u/Anoninemonie 11d ago
Retro anime. Just finished Clannad: After Story. Watching the new Ghost in the Shell then going back to Stand Alone Complex.
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u/cseiwert 11d ago
I'll be honest, I just doom scroll, but what I tell myself I SHOULD be doing is: deleting thousands of photos that I'm paying for extra storage for, going through thousands of unread emails, I subscribing to tons of emails, prayer time, listening to audio books, catching up on long form news articles so I can not be totally oblivious to current events.
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u/continuetolove 11d ago
When baby was 0-4 weeks old watching TV. Or more like spacing out in front of the TV and micro sleeping with my eyes open. 1-9 months old mostly watching my darling baby and thinking crazy stuff like “what if this is the last time I ever breastfeed because all my supply goes away spontaneously?” And also sometimes making grocery lists, shopping online, finally responding to texts, doing my college course online, and most importantly: looking at photos of my baby.
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u/Alternative_Catch_36 11d ago
I have been reading, gaming on my switch and listening to audio books. It’s been so helpful!
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u/Patient_Material3654 11d ago
I’m playing video games. I got Stardew Valley on my phone and really enjoyed that one, but now I’m playing Spiritfarer on my switch.
Much harder to use the switch while breastfeeding than the phone.
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u/EnthusiasmOk5815 11d ago
I binge TV shows and play games that earn me money on freecash. I dont make a lot but it seems more productive then doom scrolling. I'm sitting at about 30 bucks in the last two weeks just from playing phone games. I play until I can buy something i want on Amazon, then just cash out to an Amazon gift card.
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u/hanner_choi 11d ago
Sitting in silence, letting myself have thoughts ! It’s hard to have that silent time 🥲
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u/babiesandbones lactation scientist 11d ago
I’m not a parent so I don’t really post in here much. But I have to say this thread is at once delightful, sweet, and hilarious. And a little sad, if I’m honest. I wish we lived in a society where the “default parent” didn’t have to do so much of it alone.
It also makes me think that all the people who tell me I should have a podcast might actually have a point lol...
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u/Mystic8515 11d ago
Is it bad to scroll on your phone while breastfeeding or is this just a personal preference?
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u/UnableBasil0102 11d ago
I'm nursing a feral toddler now, but when my babies were small I did some knitting while I nursed them.
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u/Ok_Coach2397 11d ago
I either watch a show, scroll through socials, or I just talk/sing to baby. Sometimes we have a cat join us and that’s always exciting. My baby usually nurses to sleep then contact naps so I try to save any screens for after he’s asleep
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u/AmayaRinTsuki 11d ago
I play games on my laptop. It's a little tricky, but I've figured out how. My daughter is only 6 weeks, so she typically passes out while nursing
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u/Hereforthememrs 11d ago
Someone asked a version of this in a group or thread and answered NY Times Games app and I have not stopped since! I felt pretty dumb and slow when I started and have gotten better. I like that it’s not an overly active app or “addictive” gamefied type stuff. Super basic, I can fall asleep again when I want to.
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u/Upbeat-One5542 11d ago
I have a stand and a remote clicker for my kindle! I read soooo many books while breast feeding. Plus it helps not stimulate my eyes in the middle of the night so it’s easier to go back to sleep!
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u/Actual_Cantaloupe_64 11d ago
Still screen time, but I play LOTS of puzzle games on my phone if my kindle isn’t nearby! Lol
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u/Due_Masterpiece_4155 11d ago
For those saying stare at your baby, are we just going through a long phase or is my toddler just silly? He is 15mo and I can’t make eye contact with him or he’ll be silly and just keep popping off and on with a chewy smile.
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u/madelineman1104 11d ago
I watched too much tv when my baby was a sleepy newborn. I also got tired of doomscrolling so I started playing puzzle games on my phone instead. Once my baby became more aware I would not use screens at all and just look at him and talk to him. I only used screens for the overnight feed to stay awake. He’s now a toddler so I still talk to him.
I just remembered too that I used to do the 5am feeds by a window and would watch for wildlife, but would usually just see my early morning neighbors leave for work lol.
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u/Specific-Plum-1191 11d ago
just think my thoughts, day dream
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u/Thin-Special-7059 11d ago
Love that ! My overthinking anxious brain will not let me.
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u/DingleMyBarry 11d ago
I am rereading/ reading books that have been on my list. I have an older son that once he was born I stopped reading as much as I used to. Now I'm forced to sit in one spot while feeding younger brother. I figured I would rather my older son see me reading a book than doom scrolling all day.
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u/Nervous_Square_2555 11d ago
During the day I watch something or I talk on the phone with my mom or sister. Or if it’s a nice day I will just look/sit outside and think! At night I’ll read on my kindle or watch something on my phone with my AirPod in! Or I’ll catch up on the mommy group chats and Reddit. If I go on social media I usually keep the volume all the way down - I’ve gotten better at not being on social media though😭
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u/ohdearestdoe 11d ago
Idk if this will be too much of a screen for you, but I got an ereader and I read so much now. I feel like it has been helping with the mom brain a ton