Carrying Baby Moon 🌙 was so surreal. I felt the most beautiful and empowered carrying this little light. She’s a such a little goddess and today I was reminded that the light inside of me that carried her doesn’t just leave once we give birth 🌟

Im smiling in this pic because my beautiful belly and the admiration I have for the human body.  So how can I repay my body for taking such good care of me and housing such a light?   This is what I asked myself and last week I got real clear with myself.  And one thing I’ve been doing is taking inventory on what I’m doing with my idle time and making sure it’s not emotional eating.  This quarantine will do that to the best of us!  

Now is a great time to fast, detox and cleanse to reboot our systems for added clarity and immune boosting, and yes weight loss.   Also to feel great, less lethargic and tired and so we’re not running on empty. It’s time to be honest with yourself. Acknowledge that you need to improve and make that commitment to yourself.  We all do. 

Many of us just want things to go back to what they use to pre #covid19 pre #quarantine and pre #stayhome.  But what does that actually do for people who weren’t really going to the gym, but now they miss it, weren’t really taking care of themselves now they miss the idea of it, weren’t really checking inward before?  Let’s start now. If you could change the changeable RIGHT NOW? Start with that. Why not start with your health, your nutrition, your movement? WHY NOT?! 

How can you help yourself “feel better” despite what’s going on in the world you can make better choices.  These days many of us are still not finding the drive or energy to do anything extra because we’re homeschooling, parenting, working whether as as essential worker #thankyou or from home. Many things right now will rob you of your energy especially because the global vibration right now is low. 

So how can we combat this low vibration? One number thing you can do for you and your family is while you’re drinking the sea moss, making teas, steams next time you go grocery shopping, get as much produce as you can.  Get fruits, vegetables, both frozen and fresh.  Healthy carbs. Lean proteins. Coconut, avocado or olive oils instead of vegetable/corn. Eat for your health.  Feed your spirit as well. 

My girls in my Fit Camp are working harder than ever to lead from the front in order to show and guide YOU during this time to give new ideas, recipes new and healthier alternatives to get through this season healthy and thriving.  

So join us!! Link in Bio or Email to join 

#EmpoweredbyCathy #afitsoulrevolution 

It may hurt 

There will be much discomfort 

I will move slower than usual 

I will heal

I am healing while it hurts 

I will feel unsure 

I will feel overwhelmed 

I will feel the feels of what was I thinking, how am I going to do this 

I am a good mom

Even when I feel frustrated 

I am just going through all the feelings of being a new mom and this new life

I am starting new 

Sometimes starting new or all over feels like the hardest time

But in a short time I will feel empowered

I will feel better 

I will feel stronger 

Each day that goes by 

I will feel like I have it together 

I will have it together 

I am not done

I am not finished 

I will ask for help when I need it 

I will need help and that’s okay 

I am not in this alone 

I am not burdening anyone 

If people aren’t offering it’s so hard to ask. If people aren’t checking in it’s so hard to reach out because you feel so isolated. Your body is still healing. You’re going through all the emotions, every inch of you is realigning to your new life, new normal, you might not be eating right or getting any sleep. 

Not all of us have a support system. I’m so thankful for my circle of mommas who checked in and shared resources with me.  That’s what community and sisterhood is all about and I felt it so much so when I needed it the most. The ones who dove into my inbox when u posted sos messages about how I was feeling like I was failing at breastfeeding. The momma who came to my house to assist with the latching of Baby Moon🌙 I’m forever grateful. The momma who gifted me lactation cookies simply because she saw a post of mine and noticed we lived near each other. The moms who dropped off food, my village who dropped off smoothies for me to make sure I was eating and fueling myself. My tribe who sent me / dropped off care packages. 

I wrote these affirmations because I needed it in October while Baby Moon 🌙 was about 5weeks old. I hope someone receives this message and it gives them a sense of hope and affirms them. ✨💛✨

2 month old Aria-Soleil

First of all pat yourself on the back! This ain’t easy. After healing from a c-section, this has to be the hardest and most rewarding part of the journey. Breastfeeding. It’s amazing to know that you are enough when it comes to providing nutrition for your baby. But it can also be very trying, tiring and frustrating. We all have different stories but one thing remains we want to know that baby’s getting enough. 

I had shared on both IG & Facebook that I was having some latching troubles I had in the beginning. A poor latch can really mess up your supply.  My village really swooped in and supported me. I also did much research and one day it just clicked. Baby girl latched with ease and no pain. I stopped stressing and pretty much let her do what her do her job. I also let go of the fear. Yes I was afraid of the pain that came with her latching once I let it go it went away.

Going from 1oz here and there in a 20-30min pump session to 5oz last month and now sometimes 8oz this month. I’ve definitely come a long way. Funny enough I knew I would. Was just really going through the motions and lets face it new moms go on emotional rollercoasters daily and sometimes don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel until we’re at the end of the tunnel.  I remember one day I was pumping while my husband was bottle feeding her breastmilk from the last of my small stash of breastmilk and while she was drinking one ounce I was racing to produce another ounce before she’d finish. Once she finished that 2nd ounce Im trying to race to pump another. It was a nightmare hearing her belt out hungry cries. It broke my heart. So that day after speaking to one of the nurses who took care of my baby who happen to find me on IG that same day. I ended up giving Baby Moon 🌙 formula because she was literally crying and screaming for food. I felt defeated and my nipples were so sore at one point cool and hot air hurt it.  So this is a real huge victory for me the stash that you see below.  While she only had formula for about a week or two and even then it was once or twice a day I still felt so guilty about it.  Not to shame moms who prefer formula but this was not my preference.  Not what I had planned for my baby.

So now I nurse when baby’s hungry. That can be every hr. Every 2-4hrs.  I pump while and in between feeds and have maintained this rhythm and plan to do so for as long as I have to.  I want to continue this stash for Baby Moon 🌙 and incorporate with her solids when the time comes.  

CAUTION: the holidays are here so stay away from peppermint. I’ve learned there are other things to stay clear of that will dry your milk ducts such as sage and of course alcoholic beverages. 

Here is a list of my go-tos with links for you to get what you need. These have helped me increase and keep a good milk supply. . Take a look at my lists on amazon to see some items not listed here that love and suggest.  Again these are suggestions that have worked for me and some of the moms I know who have shared some gems with me. So that are tried and tested. Please note that these suggestions are in no particular order.

1. Healthy balanced eating regime - Grains, oats, healthy fats, proteins, and leafy greens

2. I love my smoothies and shakes packed with vitamins, probiotics, adaptogens and all that good stuff my body needs (click on link to get yours)

3. Flax seeds

4. Sesame seeds

5. Lots of water! You’ll be thirsty all the time anyway so drink up!! 

6. Coconut water

7. Mothers Milk Tea - I didn’t love the fenugreek maple syrup smell at first but hey it’s worth it! 

8. Lactation cookies and treats.

9. Brewers Yeast supplement 

10. Nurse baby every 2hrs 

11. Pump other breast while nursing your baby #everydropcounts 

12. Should you choose not to pump while nursing you can hand express or place a bottle (haakaa) there to catch milk that lets down instead of wasting milk in breast pad

13. Pump breast RIGHT AFTER baby feeds for10-15 mins (I do up to 20mins) to signal to your body more milk is needed 

14. Power pumping 

15. Stay positive

16. Don’t give up

17. Try not to stress too much 

18. Try not to go more than 4 hrs without pumping / nursing

19. Dry brushing! Yes your boobs. Brush in a downward motion while nursing / pumping helps with let down. Thanks mommy for this one. She actually told me to use a comb but since I don’t have many in my home I thought to use my dry brush while pumping and it worked. 

20. Use a hot compress while pumping / nursing 

21. Pump right after a warm/hot shower 

22. Find support groups or Baby Cafes in your town (local or your delivering hospital should be able to provide you with a list) there are also groups on social media that are awesome 

YOU GOT THIS!!! 

And whether you nursed for a day, a month, 6months or a year. You are still your babys super hero. You’re doing a great job. 

Let me know if any of these have worked for you below in the comments.  Share with your mom community.  Takes a lot of pressure off when you have support.  This also builds your confidence. We mommas need all the help we can get from one another.  

xo,

Cat