September is Yoga Awareness Month!

Nowadays, yoga seems to be everywhere. There are classes popping up on every corner: at your gym, yoga studios, community centers, and even in lesser known places like public libraries and parks. It seems that everyone from all walks of life wants an opportunity to get involved in a regular yoga practice.

Why yoga for breastfeeding women?

Yoga is a 5,000-year-old practice that originates in ancient India. There are many varieties, however, Hatha yoga seems to be best suited for beginning practitioners. Hatha yoga is known for being a gentle introduction to the practice, emphasizing the focus on the breath, holding a pose, and quieting the mind — all of which have a healing impact on women who are breastfeeding.

How yoga benefits breastfeeding moms:

1. Awareness of your body. There is probably no greater teacher of body awareness than pregnancy and birth. Creating a regular yoga practice can help a breastfeeding woman to further her awareness of her body postpartum as she is getting used to her new role as a mother.
2. Settling your mood. Motherhood can be filled with frazzled moments, particularly if you are breastfeeding your first child. There are loads of unanswered questions like whether your child is eating enough or if your child growing at a healthy rate. The best thing any breastfeeding mother can do for her baby is to learn how to calm herself down. A calm mother will help her baby to enjoy the breastfeeding experience as well as encourage the child to take in more breast milk.
3. Improve your overall strength and posture. Pregnancy can very easily take a toll on a woman’s strength. Many women tend to become less fit during their pregnancy when all their focus is on their new little one. The added weight of pregnancy can also cause a woman to begin to slouch. Between giving birth, nursing baby, pushing a stroller and lifting your baby up for several hours a day, your back is sure to begin to ache. Certain poses can help to strengthen your back muscles and ease this pain through deep breaths and stretching.
4. Join a community of breastfeeding mothers. There are many postnatal yoga classes where you can get the support of other mothers who are interested in breastfeeding. These classes can help you bond with other moms as well! A simple search of postnatal yoga classes in your locality is a great way to get started.

Breastpumps Through Insurance

The use of a breast pump builds up a store of milk so you can attend a yoga class for an hour or so — you will even have time to run a few errands after! Maintaining a supply of breast milk for when you are away from baby is a great way to plan ahead and give you the free time to stay healthy and active.

Did you know that you can get a free breast pump through insurance? Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans will cover a free double electric breast pump for lactating mothers! All you have to do to get started is fill out the Aeroflow Breastpumps Qualify Through Insurance form.

You can leave the rest to the Aeroflow Breastpump Specialists! For more immediate assistance, they can be reached at (888) 907-9257. Don't wait to begin your yoga journey — you might be surprised at all the benefits a yoga practice can bring to your life!

Information provided in blogs should not be used as a substitute for medical care or consultation.