If you are listening to this meditation today.
Then you are currently a breastfeeding mother.
I breastfed my daughter for over a year.
And when this was written and recorded,
I am still breastfeeding my son,
Who is fast approaching two.
Only those of us who breastfeed can understand the magnitude of this task.
But I also wanted to write this meditation to serve as a celebration of all that we are.
And to attempt somehow to capture in words the sheer beauty of the breastfeeding experience.
The vulnerability of it.
So that I personally never forget these moments with my babies.
Their fingers wrapped around mine.
Come and take a seat,
Somewhere you won't be disturbed.
And close your eyes,
Focusing entirely on you.
Let's take a deep breath in.
Holding at the top.
And Breathe out.
And again.
Breathing in.
.
.
Holding.
And releasing the breath out.
As you breathe in again now.
Consider how your body is feeling today.
And as you breathe out.
Just adjust your shoulders,
Releasing any tension you might be holding onto.
Letting your breath be natural now.
When did you last take time to pause and realize?
All that you have been doing lately.
All that you have achieved.
You are a giver of life.
No matter your discomfort,
You pushed through.
You are Mother Nature in her most powerful form.
As you sit now.
In peace.
And focus.
Know that no matter where you are in your breastfeeding journey,
Right at the beginning.
Or even right at the end.
You are incredible.
And your baby is so lucky to have a mother like you.
With every feed that you give or have given.
You have reassured your child that the world is kind.
That your embrace will always be home.
Breastfeeding.
Imperfect.
Raw.
Exhausting.
Messy.
Is a journey for everyone.
You should be so proud of yourself for everything you have tried and everything that you have accomplished.
Bring your hand to your heart now and feel the aliveness of it.
Beating beneath your palm.
This is a thank you for pushing through every single moment of pain,
For nursing your child whilst you yourself were broken.
Now as they lay in your arms.
Their tiny,
Warm body.
Perfectly shaped to fit yours.
Know that you are worthy of the way that they look at you with undeniable worship.
Worthy of every smile they give you,
With their mouth still full.
Deserving of every stroke of their little fingers on your skin.
Their eyes half closed,
Lost in the heaven of you.
Mama.
The goddess that feeds me.
The milk you gave and continue to give will be theirs forever,
You know.
No matter when your journey eventually ends.
It moves from their tummy all the way to their bones.
Into their heart.
Protection transferred from you to them.
It's your love.
Stored always in the very makeup of their being.
What a profound gift you have given.
So just know that you are magic.
Know that this was right.
Smile from ear to ear now,
Proud and thankful.
Thankful to know what it feels like.
To breastfeed.
Taking another deep breath in.
And out now.
Allow yourself to stretch and move again in any way that feels good for you.
Bringing your consciousness back into the room now,
But keeping your eyes closed.
Let's just take one final pause for gratitude.
Gratitude for who you are.
Right now.
Here's what you need to hear today as you open your eyes.
These early years with our little ones provide the moments that the you who is one day old and grey will desperately revisit.
In their fondest dreams.
Cherish every second.
