Hello dearest yoga mamas.
I'm Emma from Becoming Mama Yoga and this is a breastfeeding support meditation.
It's designed for anyone who is breastfeeding.
Particularly if you are having any sort of struggle,
Maybe with anxiety around feeding,
Maybe with pain or maybe issues with your milk volume.
It should be helpful for everybody and it can be done while feeding or while aside from fading.
Settle down in a comfortable position,
Either seated or lying down,
With any pillows you may need to support you if you're breastfeeding.
Or seated somewhere in a nice supported position with your breast pump if you're expressing If you're meditating outside of breastfeeding time,
Then I highly recommend that you lay down comfortably on your back or side,
Preferably if you're on your back with an eye pillow,
Or maybe something else that just feels really luxurious for you.
So you can take a well-deserved simultaneous rest while you meditate.
Once you are very comfortable.
And your baby is latched or your pump is well positioned if you're feeding or expressing.
Let's begin with a few deep breaths in through the nose.
And out through the nose or mouth.
Perhaps the breath sighs out audibly through your mouth.
Maybe it's fairly silent.
Find what feels good.
And continue with those nice,
Big.
.
.
Easy relaxing breaths Allow each exhale to bring physical relaxation.
Allow each exhale to move into areas of tension.
And to relax,
Melting them away.
Allow your breathing pattern to return to normal as you begin to scan the body.
Starting at the top of the head.
Then moving down.
Soften the face.
Bring attention to the jaw.
Noticing any tension there.
And consciously easing it out with the breath.
If you're struggling to release jaw tension,
Perhaps you try clenching the jaw shut for the duration of an inhale.
And then suddenly and fully releasing.
At the start of the exhale.
You could repeat that a few more times if you need.
Move onto the neck and the shoulders.
Checking if you can allow any holding or tension to melt away as the shoulders relax down and away from the ears.
Notice if you're holding any tension in the chest or the belly.
And see if that too can be consciously relaxed.
Maybe sending the breath into these spaces is enough.
Or maybe you need to add an intention to relax.
If there's still tension there and you have a free hand,
You could always bring a light to moderate massaging touch to that area.
And see if that helps to ease tension away.
Notice the arms and the legs.
And allow the breath to move into areas of tension.
Feel them melt away.
Allow the body to relax into your baby.
Into your palm into the support beneath you.
Relax into the concept of breastfeeding.
Now that the body is fully relaxed,
Tune in to the love you feel for this sweet little baby who has come to be in your life.
Let that love swell and wash over you as you watch the baby.
Or if you're meditating without baby in sight.
Maybe you allow your eyes to close as you imagine.
You can see and feel those tiny fingers.
Hear the sound of the baby suckling at the breast.
And know deep down inside that this is a magical bond between you.
You are nourishing your baby from the outside,
Just as you once did from the inside.
If you're currently feeding or pumping.
Perhaps you take a moment to check in with positioning.
Making sure the baby or the pump is in a good position for comfort for your arms and your back.
And your nipples.
If nipple trauma has been an issue for you.
Trust that time and optimizing positioning will help.
As well relaxing into your feeding routine.
As the love within you continues to bubble up from that endless well of love that all mamas carry.
So does your milk supply.
Matching baby's needs so very perfectly.
Your body is so tuned into your baby.
It just knows how to regulate the supply of milk to match the demand from the baby.
Your body makes sure there's exactly the right amount,
And even a little to spare.
Just in case of a larger need.
Your body is so clever.
It can make the volume go up and down exactly as needed at all the different stages of this baby's feeding journey.
It does this just as easily as it changes the milk composition,
Feed by feed,
Month by month.
To match this child's dietary needs.
You trusted your body to build.
A body for the new baby.
And just the same way,
You can trust your body to work as much as it possibly can to build the milk.
To nourish and support the baby to grow even more.
If your body and mind have been through a particularly rough time.
Maybe that was in birthing,
Maybe it was after the birth,
Or maybe it was even sometime well before you had a baby.
Then perhaps it's not yet keeping pace with your baby's needs.
If that's the case for you.
And allow some of that endless supply of love you're carrying to seep into your own body.
Investing that love and plenty of compassion into yourself.
As you patiently support your body to grow into its full lactation capacity.
Notice yourself relaxing and surrendering into the whole experience of breastfeeding.
The highs and the lows and everything in between.
Trust that every milliliter of milk your body gifts your baby with is valuable.
It's liquid gold.
It's nourishing your baby and helping you both to bond and grow together.
And that is true whether you're exclusively breastfeeding,
Mix feeding,
Exclusively pumping,
Whether you've just started your feeding journey.
Or you're looking at weaning.
All of the milk is precious to your baby.
All of the milk provides benefit.
And all of the milk is received by your baby with love,
Trust,
And gratitude.
As we start to wind down our meditation time.
You can choose whether to repeat the following affirmations after me.
Either silently or out loud.
Or just listen to them and feel them settle deep within your body and mind.
I am ready,
Willing and able.
To breastfeed my baby.
Or his or her highest good.
I trust my body to provide for me and for my baby.
I nourish my baby with my love as well as my milk.
My body is so clever.
It knew how to grow a baby on the inside and it can continue to grow that baby on the outside.
All of my love flows easily through my body.
Hoping to develop exactly the right amount of milk.
To flow onto my baby.
My body can and will supply all the milk my baby needs to thrive.
My body's milk is perfectly matched to my baby's needs.
I breathe deeply and fully relax into my baby at feeding time.
I take joy in breastfeeding and in bonding with my baby.
I trust that my body is doing its very best.
I trust that even if my milk supply sometimes ebbs and sometimes flows,
It will always regulate to provide my baby with enough.
I care for my body as it works so hard to produce this nourishment for my baby.
I nourish my baby with milk and with love.
I trust that all will be well for my baby,
Just as it will for me.
When you are ready.
Gently ease back into the present moment.
Notice the body in the space around you.
Notice the sights and sounds in the room.
Notice how you are feeling within yourself I hope this meditation helps you.
Sending you love and light.
Namaste.
