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

“The sacredness and realization that “there is a breathe of life within my womb”. I wish I could’ve just skipped to this feeling. But it’s so much more powerful that I got through the stages.”

— Cathleen Benjamin

To my mommas maybe this may resonate with you. 

When I found out I was pregnant with Baby Moon 🌙 I went through stages what I call the 3 S’s. I went from being scared, to secretly knowing I had a blessing inside me, to understanding my blessing and holding it extremely sacred.  

S:1

If you’ve been following me I had a scare back in September. I had an unusual pain in my abdomen area. Had an event that morning and throughout the event kept noticing the pain get stronger and stronger. At one moment my husband looked my way and I put my head down cause I wanted him to continue his workout but next thing I knew he said let’s go we’re going to the ER. Something on my face must’ve gave it away. At this point I could barely walk to the car. Thought maybe it was something with my uterus. I knew eventually I wanted more children but something in me said this is it not going to happen. I thought all the worst thoughts and just kept crying on the way to the hospital in excruciating pain. That silent cry with tears just flowing. That day I never shared this with anyone except Kurt but spirit was w/ me. A healing mantra come to me and I silently repeated it with tears in my eyes. I felt an image in a white robe following me to the X-ray room as they wheeled me away from Kurt. They said it was kidney stones. To this day I never passed the stone. 

End of January I found out I was pregnant. I was like no way! There is no way. Immediately started freaking out frozen in fear. Like are we ready? We have so many “plans”. We just sold our condo and just moved. Physically I was immobilized. I had no motivation. Completely stopped doing anything business wise, no posts, no checkins w/ my team, friends. Everything stopped. Went in complete panic mode when no one was around. I stayed in bed for hrs crying, overthinking. I felt like I was walking on eggs shells in the beginning. The anxiety about carrying to term, about being ready (than) or again or oh shoot I prayed for this months ago, now I have this what do I do now set it and didn’t allow me to fully embody and enjoy the moment. The revelation that once again I’ve been blessed. I had my pastor pray for and over me because I was losing it. He said all the right things and that has kept me carried me through all the scary what if thoughts.  I had a talk with myself to snap the heck out of it. Than it took me back to that time in September and said God Im surrendering all my fears. Thank you 🙏🏾 

S:2 

Culturally being of Haitian descent you don’t share before the 2nd trimester. Which is technically the “safe zone” I waited until about 13/14wks because I wanted to enjoy this and hold it now that I was finding my groove again. My fears subsided. I was excited. I wanted to just hold this for me Kurt our kids and family. My favorite reaction was wow. As I was (am) wowed daily by the wonders, the grace, the miracle of carrying Baby Moon 🌙 wondering what is to come and til this day just wowed by how blessed we are because this was actually a manifestation. 

S:3 

The third “S” is magical. The sacredness and realization that “there is a breathe of life within my womb”. I wish I could’ve just skipped to this feeling. But it’s so much more powerful that I got through the stages. I have been put on an assignment to eat, drink, sleep take care of myself, my mind, my body prayerfully carrying to term another beautiful creation of God. In all its miraculousness, in all the great wonders of the world I have been granted the beautiful duty to add more light into this world.  I couldn’t be more happy, broke wide open yet guarded at the same time. What gift and assignment could be greater, more challenging, more rewarding than this. Jesus I can’t wait to hold Baby Moon 🌙

#EmpoweredbyCathy

📸: Kurt Benjamin

“People believe the stories they tell themselves. This is I know to be true. And sometimes the stories we tell ourselves don’t o help us grow but stay stuck year after year.”

Let’s talk about the over saturation of wellness coaches, fitness influencers, light workers, trainers, or even Beachbody coaches. Truth is over saturation doesn’t exist. When we have men & women dying and suffering in silence from illnesses that are preventable. Over saturation is a lie! When you know you sister and brother have a disease that she’s suffering from that can be CURED by the way she eats or moves her body daily. Over saturation is a lie! 

There is only one YOU. Only you can make your mark or tell YOUR story using your voice to inspire and empower others! #YOUBELONGHERE! We belong HERE! Black and brown people are the most UNDER represented in the health & wellness, fitness industry! We are PERIODT!

I represent and speak to the healing of ALL women. But when I see my sisters not put their health at priority it hurts.  Or when I hear my sisters speak and it is riddled with limiting beliefs it hurts.  I always have ppl say I don’t know how you do it, I don’t know how you make time with 4 kids (now Baby Moon 🌙) on the way!! I don’t know how your stay so consistent. I see the way you eat I could never do that! 

People believe the stories they tell themselves. This is I know to be true. And sometimes the stories we tell ourselves don’t o help us grow but stay stuck year after year. 

Today was a day of fun, power talks, smiles, encouragement and women who know who we are and why we’re here!  Especially when we join forces and see how many more faces should be here #representationmatters.  I was so honored to share space with a small population of Queens who are LEADING the pack!! 

Ladies I love showing you what workouts to do and how to eat, I’d love it even more to show you and build with you so you too can pay it forward to your community, your family, your friends. Because the work of teaching and helping others men & women how to take better care of this one body, temple that we have and changing the trajectory of our lives by doing so is work that can never be over saturated.  I’m inviting the first 10 women, couples to JOIN ME, to join us in #fitsoulrevolution. Comment below or Email me at empoweredbycathy@gmail.com for more info on how to lead with Me! 

You belong here love! I want you here right next to me front and center! There is a power house inside us all. Let’s tap into it! 

xo Cathy

My daily routine consists of morning prayer, devotionals and being still before rising and than starting my day and I’ll be honest I drifted a bit, as I do many a days when I am connecting. In this prayer, I professed surrendering it all.  Like all of it.  Let’s be honest sometimes it’s just more than we can handle.

I than received a text message from one someone who I call my spiritual sister whom I’ve been thinking about reaching out to lately but for some reason it hasn’t happened but she’s been on my mind and I’d send Light her way anytime Id think of her. It was a text from her saying the spirit came to her, my name came up and she had sent a prayer up for me 🙏🏾 but what grabbed me in her note and prayer for me the word surrender was there. 

Later that morning as I went to burn some sage I pulled a card from my Universe Has Your Back, by Gabrielle Bernstein deck as I was getting ready to do a quick meditation and this card pictured was the one I picked or picked me. I immediately text my spiritual sister and we were both moved by it.  When you know, you know. It always astonishes you no matter how much you already believe. When the spirit is sending a message to you it will stop at nothing to make it crystal clear what is needed. You have to be open and paying attention i order to receive. 

My meditation afterwards was MIND BLOWING. Like I can’t even talk about it. LOL

I didn’t know if I wanted to share this but I know there are people who are struggling, people who are searching and looking for answers, for solutions for a way out of no way. I can’t stress enough how so many things have shifted, like mountains (whether it was people “in the way of”, things, situations, finances) moved in my favor because of fasting, deep prayer, being still, not giving up (because faith without works is dead), asking the universe, God, The Most High for what I want and if it be thy will be done. Meditating doesn’t have to be long even for 5 mins a day, journaling, getting clear of what you want, writing it down, believing it’s possible and going for it!! Sometimes drifting away even from the ones you love for a moment to reconnect and align with your center, your core has been transformative because that’s what’s needed to clear out the noise. 

Friends don’t stop seeking, aligning, asking, and doing the work. It’s not a one shot deal. 

Today I read if you don’t do anything else talk to God, Allah, universe. Some of the other things you like dare I say yoga, eating clean, exercising daily, drinking more water are not enough.  I’m here for the #fitsouls, not just the fit bodies, but for fit minds, fit spirits that reflect our highest selves.  Yesterday was reminder, a confirmation.  I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t advise you to do some reflection on what it is you believe you are called to do.  The BIG stuff, the scary stuff.  Your purpose awaits you. People are looking for their purpose when your purpose is waiting on you to activate that light inside of you. #surrendering is your compass.