Joanna Zaremba Movement & Mindfulness
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Private Yoga/Movement Sessions
  • Play
  • Contact
  • About

When You're Breastfeeding, Just Breastfeed.

4/12/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
About a month ago, I set my intention to breastfeed mindfully. Initially, I thought it would be good to pause and do a lovingkindness meditation. I also got the idea from the book Mindfulness To Go to take and count four breaths when I'm breastfeeding as a way to become more present. Breathe in—one. Breath out—one. Breathe in—two. Breath out—two, etc.

My intention was mostly in response to my cell phone use and distracted thinking while I breastfed. Shortly after Stevie was born, I found myself frantically searching online for answers to my many new mama questions. Was this colic? How much spitting up is normal? Does my baby have gas, and what can I do about it? And so on. I had a hard time finding another time to look things up, so I picked up my phone while I breastfed.

Now that Stevie is five months old, we understand each other better even though I still have lots of questions. I don't feel as desperate to find answers outside of the two of us. I still look things up, but I don't feel like I need to do this when I'm breastfeeding. My phone habit while breastfeeding has extended to texting, looking on Facebook, checking my email, etc. Spending time on those activities while my little guy eats is not at all rewarding. And, I know this time is precious because babies change so very quickly.

Knowing this, why do I still have a hard time putting my phone down and not distracting myself while I feed my baby? I can't say that I have an answer, but I feel like there's a cultural norm to grasp for more. We seek immediate gratification, and with technology, we think we can have it on-demand, 24-7.

I know I enjoy my days and moments most when I am unplugged. In nature. Spending time with my husband. Talking to a friend. Cooking. Gardening. So, I choose to make a change. I choose to pause and to breathe and to send loving thoughts to myself, my baby, and my husband. May our little family be happy. May our little family be healthy. May our little family be safe.

When I remember to pause and make this my practice, I feel a sense of peace and contentment. Until a week ago, I hadn't remembered to post any visiual reminders to pause and check in while breastfeeding. It has already started to help me remember to slow down and be present even when I'm not in the spot where my reminder is.

“When you're walking, Just Walk; When You're Birthing, Just Birth.” This is the title of a chapter from Nancy Bardacke's book Mindful Birthing. This book was an invaluable tool for me while I was preparing for childbirth. This chapter title stuck with me. It's simple but to the point. When you're doing something, give it—and only it—your full attention. Probably my best reminder to stay present while breastfeeding is to have a note that says:

“When you're breastfeeding, just breastfeed.”

Is there an area of your life where you'd like to be more fully present?

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    About Me

    I'm Joanna, a coach and a movement teacher, wife, mom, nature-lover, gardener, photographer, daily meditator, and wild food forager. I aspire to help you live our life grounded in love, creativity, and joy.

    I've been a movement teacher since 2003, and I have been meditating and practicing mindfulness since 2011.
    I teach people in a lighthearted way how to move with greater ease and mindfulness, so they can live their greatest life!

    Archives

    February 2020
    January 2020
    February 2016
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All
    2016
    Acceptance
    Breastfeeding
    Intention
    Letting Go
    Lovingkindness
    Meditation
    Mindfulness
    Minimalism
    Motherhood
    Present Moment
    Travel

What Our Clients Are Saying

"You have a unique teaching style which includes and challenges everyone at their own level leaving me feeling more empowered; better about myself both physically and mentally. I also feel that you as an instructor care about each of us and want to help us better ourselves. I have never had such a positive experience when attempting to be more physically active and better myself, in all honesty this class has been my only completely positive experience to date."
-Megan

Contact Us