I'm a nursing mom w/ADHD and it's hard to sit still sometimes- any tips?

Several years ago I was diagnosed with mild to moderate ADHD. Until now, lifestyle choices have made it easy to control- fast-paced job, lots to keep me busy etc. But now there's a beautiful baby at my breast; he's very new and feeds a lot. Sometimes I'm very content to watch him feed, but too often I feel restless and start to 'fidget'. A few times I've gotten rather panicky at having to sit still for so long. He is nursing well and weight gain is good so I don't seem to be disturbing him. I just want to be able to enjoy this precious time without my ADHD getting out of hand. Obviously medication is out of the question, so I'm looking for advice and ideas for something to do quietly with my hands if I get restless while nursing.

You, my friend, need a baby sling.

Once you learn how to nurse in a sling, you can get up, move around, and get things done, all while baby is nursing.

I like my Moby Wrap and my Hotsling, but the preference of the sling is up to you. Check out the site below on "baby-wearing" because they have great reviews about using slings and wraps.

I also use a boppy, which means that sometimes my hands are free to do something else....like answer questions on Y!A.

you can walk with the baby while you are nursing just hold him tight, that could help you with your disorder

try cross stitching. it will keep your hands busy.

Maybe try to read a book? You can get a TV stand and place the book on it and turn the pages with one hand. Maybe sing to your baby. It might keep you focused on him.

I know this is going to sound funny but I played a digital Yahtzee and read books.

A handheld game on silent might help. I used to pick at my son when I would get fidgety clean his ears, nose,and sock fuzzies. If you use a boppy it is easier to do things like read,text,file your nails well anything with your hands.

i have the same problem. i have taught myself to feed with mostly no hands. that way i can answer questions on yahoo answers, haha. i usually play on the computer or watch tv to keep myself entertained. sometimes there is really no consolation, you just kind of have to be bored for however long it takes. good luck.

knitting .. walking around the room while nursing .. rocking in a rocking chair may help for a few minutes .. or you could try singing to the baby maybe by singing you will feal like the nursing expieriance is something you are involved in not just being subjected to... i used to read when I used my breast pump cus it was soo teadiouse

I totally know that antsy feeling!! LOL what's worse is my daughter will only catnap and then wake up screaming if i try to move her after nursing.
The lifesaver for me is online game sites like pogo.com and neopets.com
both of these have games i can play with only the mouse so i still have one hand to hold back the breast (you can't imagine the difficulty of breastfeeding if you've been overly blessed!)
Keeps me focused on something outside of wondering how long before I'm able to get going again!

Get yourself a baby sling!! Then your hands will be free to read, play a game or do whatever. And the swing allows you to get up and walk around while feeding without your arms getting tired!!