Mom Breastfeeds While Doing Yoga: 'You Do What Works for Your Baby'

staff@people.com (Julie Mazziotta)
Updated
Mom Breastfeeds While Doing Yoga: 'You Do What Works for Your Baby'

Yoga helped mom-of-three Carlee Benear through past struggles with postpartum depression, so she turned to the practice again when she found herself having trouble breastfeeding her newborn daughter.

Benear, 29, started practicing yoga while nursing her 1-month-old daughter Maramaylee soon after she was born, and found that it helped immensely.

"We were struggling, and I think a lot of moms do during those first weeks," the stay-at-home mom tells PEOPLE of breastfeeding. "I started my practice back up early after pregnancy because I needed it to help me adjust and relax while we were getting in the swing of all things breastfeeding. It helped me take the edge off, so little by little I let her join me on the mat to see if it would help her too – did it ever!!"

Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of peace of the world. Mother Teresa PHOTO @realteelphoto OUTFIT @soulflowerbuds #postpartumhealth #breastisbest #igyogamoms #yogawithkids #1monthold #educatebeforeyouvaccinate

A photo posted by Carlee Benear (@carleebyoga) on Sep 14, 2016 at 7:41pm PDT





"She took to it immediately," continues Benear. "Holding poses breathe relaxation into my body, and moving flows relax our minds.I have noticed that it lowers her spit ups too. It's really not any different from moms who sit and feed, moms who have to walk and feed, or moms who bottle feed. You do what works for your baby."

Benear says Maramaylee is great at nursing while she's on the ground and Benear is above her in a yoga pose.

If someone thinks that love and peace is a cliche that must have been left behind in the Sixties, that's his problem. Love and peace are eternal. John Lennon OUTFIT @soulflowerbuds #1monthold #babynumber3 #igyogamoms #breastisbeat #yogawithkids #educatebeforeyouvaccinate

A photo posted by Carlee Benear (@carleebyoga) on Sep 13, 2016 at 2:30pm PDT



"She does amazing lying down on her back and her side while feeding," Benear says.

The Woodlands, Texas-based mom started sharing photos of her breastfeeding yoga practice on Instagram, and was amazed by the loving response from her followers.

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"I have been overwhelmed with heartfelt messages of inspiration and struggles," she says. "So many moms forget that you can't pour from an empty cup, and that's where I fear we let postpartum depression get us. We are so busy trying to please everyone else that we forget that the world's happiness begins at home, with us. We need to take care of ourselves, too, as parents."

There are little eyes upon you and they're watching night and day. take in every word you say. There are little hands all eager to do anything you do; And a little girl who's dreaming of the day she'll be like you. You're the little angel's idol, you're the wisest of the wise. In her little mind about you no suspicions ever rise. She believes in you devoutly, holds all you say and do; She will say and do, in your way when she's grown up just like you. There's a wide-eyed little girl who believes you're always right; and her eyes are always opened, and she watches day and night. You are setting an example every day in all you do; For the little girl who's waiting to grow up to be like you. Kimberly Sedlacek #igyogamoms #yogawithkids #breastisbest #educatebeforeyouvaccinate

A photo posted by Carlee Benear (@carleebyoga) on Sep 6, 2016 at 5:19pm PDT



Benear is thrilled with what yoga has done for her family.

"I love seeing what my body and mind are capable of, and seeing my children's yoga journeys light up their control and confidence."