This is a postnatal meditation focusing on your breath and senses and your baby. It works equally when you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding. It uses breath and sensory awareness to create calm focus on your baby – it is especially relaxing and brings the connection to your breath and baby.

Sit or lie in a position in which you can comfortably feed your baby, whether this is bottle or breastfeeding. Use supports (bolsters, pillows, blankets – and keep these available at all times, be very generous with your supports). If you’re just starting with breastfeeding, make sure these are around you for whenever you’re about to feed your baby.

Hold your baby in a way so that you also feel fully relaxed – keep your shoulders relaxed and let the baby feed comfortably.

Once you are both comfortably in your position, take your mind to your breath. Notice your inhale and exhale. Do not change anything, just notice and watch your breath. You can keep your eyes closed or softly gazing at your baby.

Now bring you awareness to your sense of hearing. As you exhale, become aware of your the sound of your breath. Become aware of the sound of baby’s breath, the sound of your baby’s feeding.

Now slowly bring your awareness to your sense of touch. As you exhale, feel the warmth of your baby close to you and notice different temperature of your skin where your baby is in close contact. Notice the temperature of your skin where baby is not in contact with your skin. Alternate between these two positions and temperatures and compare the two.

Slowly bring your awareness to the sense of smell, notice the smell of your baby, the smell of milk, the smell of your baby’s clothes. Notice how this makes you feel.

Slowly bring your awareness to the sense of sight. Open your eyes and see your baby. Comfortably feeding, perhaps being asleep or looking at you.

Bring your awareness back to your sense of hearing and notice the sound of your baby’s feeding and breathing and slowly bring your awareness back to your breath. and back to your physical body; being aware of every part of your body.

You can use this meditation and alternate between the senses to prolong the meditation or you can shorten it depending on the length of the feed. Or simply rest with your breath throughout the feed.

Enjoy and be happy!