Welcome to this meditation for nursing pumping moms.
I'm Lori Mahalik Levin,
And as a mama of two and someone who pumped over 1000 times,
I'm here to help you get into a relaxed state so you can begin your pumping session calmly and peacefully.
With your pump parts attached and ready,
And with your pump turned off or on,
It's up to you,
Get into a comfortable seated position and close your eyes.
Now before you do anything,
Thank yourself for this moment.
This moment to breathe.
This moment to care for your baby even when you aren't with them.
Thank yourself for showing up and for loving that little person or little people every day.
You are doing an amazing job,
Mama.
You truly,
Truly are.
Now let's bring in gratitude for the engineers who created these pumps that allow us to nourish our babies.
Let's bring in gratitude for the modern day technology of refrigeration that allows us to store our milk.
And let's bring in gratitude for our mama friends who support us on this crazy parenting journey.
Now wiggle your toes on the ground and see what you notice.
What are your feet touching?
Do you feel your socks,
Your shoes,
The ground underneath you?
Now move your attention up your body into your chest and start to focus on your breath.
Take a long,
Deep breath in and an even longer breath out.
Now another long,
Deep breath in and another long,
Deep breath out.
If you haven't turned on your pump yet,
I invite you to do so now.
Keep taking deep breaths at your own pace.
And as you do so,
Bring to mind that image that tends to help you get a letdown.
Something that helps you to get your milk flowing.
Perhaps it's picturing your adorable little baby or babies.
Call to mind an image of them.
Or if you have a photo you'd like to look at,
Open your eyes and take a look.
Imagine your eyes meeting theirs.
Your own hands cuddling the soft deliciousness of their little body.
Smile at them and smile at yourself for this gift you're giving them.
Or maybe it helps you to picture the milk flowing out of your nipples and into the flanges and into the bottles.
Imagine it pouring out,
Gushing out,
Flowing out.
Just relax and let it flow.
Whatever amount comes out is just the right amount.
Whatever speed it comes out is just the right speed.
If nothing comes,
It's okay.
Keep breathing.
Keep knowing in your heart that your motherhood is not defined by this pumping session or any pumping session.
You are enough,
Mama.
Just as you are.
Now keep breathing as you continue this act of generosity and nourishment.
You got this.
