When life gives you rain, make lemonade*... You know the old expression...when life gives you lemons, make lemonade? Well, a rainy day is a cause for celebration. It is your time to get indoor things done as well as spending more time with your breastfeeding baby. Think of the rain as permission to sit just a little bit longer with your baby, encouraging her to suck a little bit more...read one more story or sing that song she likes again. Stimulate your baby’s brain and your milk supply on this slowdown, rainy day. Your mind and body will thank you after a day of productive activity.

Every woman knows that getting the hang of breastfeeding and caring for a new baby takes time, good guidance and help from mothers who have breastfed and professionals who support your efforts toward providing breast milk for your baby. I know that you have a “saved for a rainy day” list, new mothers call it a “for when I feel better” list...those nagging thoughts when you’re trying to nap; the unfinished business or a necessary home task or self improvement hour. There’s nothing better for a boost to your self-esteem than completing an unfinished project in between your baby’s feedings.

1. Celebrate yourself with some self-care; your whole body, hair, fingernails and toenails included. If it’s early in your postpartum months that might be enough activity for the morning. Allow yourself to heal with a nap if you need one.

2. Celebrate yourself with proper nourishment. Now that it’s raining and you have to stay indoors, there will be time to actually cook something, in a big pot, and resupply your family freezer. Soups, stews, casseroles...use the remaining veggies, eggs and whole grains you might have in your fridge or freezer if you haven’t any fresh. Meaty and/or beany soups are a great way to get lots of protein and liquids into your daily diet. Be creative with spices and enjoy the aroma of curry or oregano wafting through your home. Bake a big batch of oatmeal raisin cookies and throw in any nut flours or ground seeds for a protein boost. Invite a friend to join you for companionship and ask her to bring some fresh fruit for a rainy day fruit salad.

3. Celebrate your home by making your space more comfortable or more efficiently organized. Are your areas for settling in to a breastfeeding or pumping session the best that they can be? Pillows, lighting, tabletop surfaces big enough? Are your baby’s supplies well stocked and easily accessed? You can finally set up that account with Amazon to have automatic deliveries of your most used and bulky items like diapers and wipes. Throw away the expired pantry items and all those plastic containers you don’t really need. Organize some closets and drawers and get your carton ready to take to Goodwill.

4. Celebrate your career by calling your client who is waiting for a response or writing that paper for school. Use the quiet time of a rainy day at home to focus on your nagging list of work related items before returning fulltime to work or continuing education. Brighten up your slightly dark rainy day with a productive activity. Celebrate foremost, the opportunity to give more time and milk to your baby. Cherish your body and keep it healthy - long term - with nourishing food and beginning an exercise routine. Focus on your work and education; brighten your future and the future of your family.