Calling all short-sighted breastfeeders!

[Daisy17]

Bit random, but..... I am currently pregnant with no2 and am distracting myself from first trimester blues by thinking ahead to having another little one and working out things I could do this time round to make things less stressful etc.
One of the things I found really hard about nightfeeds last time was the fact that I had to put my glasses on to see what DS was doing (blind as a bat and a nervous sort) and then I couldn't doze off or get comfy because of the frames digging into my face and all that sort of thing.
I still can't think of a way round it, but was wondering if any clever mumsnetter in the same boat came up with any ingenious ways of tackling the problem? Or ways to become proficient in feeding "blind"? Or even just sympathy.

I suppose I just got good at feeding 'blind'

I never actually put a light on or anything, now that I think about it.

What are you worried about: tripping over something on your way to your baby, or not managing the actual feed without glasses on?

I am blind as a bat too: glasses on first thing in the morning before feet hit the ground and off last thing at night after lights off

I co-slept with both of mine and with dc2 only ever turned the nightlight on for nappy changes (having learnt the hard way that low level lighting at night, even if only for feeding, is a baaaad idea).
Given that this will be your second, you already know how latch, etc. all feel like so you will probably find it's easier to do things in the dark anyway.

I am not short sighted but feed in the dark with my eyes shut! I think you just need to learn to trust to do it by touch.

Congratulations

I'm blind as a bat but have DS in a co-sleeper next to our bed and with the Sleepyhead in it which leaves a space in the crib for me to put all my night-time things like water, glasses etc so I just reach over and grab my glasses before I pick him up. He's fed, changed and back down again in about 30 mins so I don't really doze off I guess.

Ooh, thanks for quick replies, all! Yes, not worried about tripping up etc, we have a bednest which is fab ( and for which I'm intending to buy a little pocket-tidy thing to hang over the end this time for glasses etc) I was just so reliant on sight for getting the latch sorted and knowing that he was feeding but also so knickers and wanting to snuggle down. So yes, I guess I need to get in the habit right from the start of feeling things rather than seeing them. It was a bit stressful last time because my milk didn't come in for ages and DS lost interest and the midwives got very stern about him not thriving etc, I think I just got terrified into needing to SEE every ounce go into him, even when he began quite quickly to thrive and grow.
On a side note, I know you CAN get contact lenses which you are allowed to wear for a month without every taking out, which would seem a good idea, only I feel very squeamish about that!! Anyone have experience of them?

Arf. That should say knackered not knickers!!

And ever not every.....

Daisy I use those lenses, but normally take them out overnight. I have slept in them in the past (the night my DD was born as an example) but I do find I suffer with dry eyes the next day if I do that. If you were very tired as well I think they would probably be quite uncomfortable - sorry

My thoughts exactly, misog, thanks for confirming my suspicions!!!

I was told by my optician that those lenses should only be worn overnight occasionally rather than continuously for a month.

I use Acuvue Oaysis which are designed to be worn for a week continuously, but as I said I don't think that would be comfortable for me - others may be along who disagree though

I use the continuous wear contact lenses. Remove once a week for 24 hours, hate that 1 night a week where I have to put glasses on to see DD.

I'm pretty short sighted. I keep my lamp on a very low setting just to help me roughly see where DD is. I only whack my glasses on for changing her Bum. I suppose it's one of those things you just get used to.

With the contact lenses ( I work in an opticians) you have to build up a bit of resistance to wearing those lenses all the time. I found it can take a while. You have to have more regular check ups because there is a Foreign body in your eye for longer. They are good but don't work for everyone. And even the best lenses on the market (imo) the Oasys you get dry and uncomfortable eyes if you don't get a break from them.
Pregnancy/breastfeeding/pill can also make some ladies eyes a lot drier. Bloody hormones! :)

I'm shortsighted, though not terribly, and I prefer to wear my glasses when feeding overnight.
I prop myself up on pillows (sort of reclined sitting) in bed to feed and I quite often doze off there with glasses on. It feels quite comfortable as I'm effectively on my back so the glasses are not in contact with the bed at all.
I did recently get my frames straightened by an optician (after they feel victim to my toddler rampaging) and they were much more comfortable afterwards. I don't think I'd realised how bent they'd got (even before the rampaging).
I also have a lamp on all the time overnight and a bedside table for glasses etc. DS is in a cosleeper and DH is in the spare room so he not disturbed (because we have been overnight feeding for 9 months as my prem baby goes from the 0.4th weight centile to the 91st... Same with DD 3 years ago).

My children are teens now so my memories may be as hazy as my eyesight but as I am inclined to put my glasses on for midnight pees I am faily sure I put them on for feeding especially as I didn't have my two in the same room as me (I just couldn't sleep with all the snuffling). I fed them in a big rocker type armchair so dozed upright. No issue with glasses that I recall. Both my two got the hang of breastfeeding very quickly and I was very lucky and didn't have any issues with latch, mastitis or losing weight so didn't have to apply much thinking to the whole thing.

I have worn continuous wear lenses for over 10 years with no problems other than occasionaly dry eyes. I just use drops or take them out for a day or so and that sorts it out. I am blind as a bat without them and used to hate waking up in the middle of the night/first thing unable to see. I've actually found I have less issues with them than daily lenses as I am touching my eyes less.

Hi. I could never breast feed without glasses...ended up pushing them up into my hair when going to sleep sitting up or tucking them strategically by the side of the pillow should i wouldnt lie on them and break them when sleeping flat..