7 Baby Massage and Yoga Tips from one mum to another
Meet Bex & her little boy, they LOVE Baby Massage & Yoga and have positively benefitted from learning it since her baby was around 8 weeks old.
Bex shares her top tips, from one mother to another on how to get the best out of your class for both you and your baby.
Guest Blog - Tips from one mother to another how to get the best from your baby massage & yoga class
Being a new mum is entering into a whole new world. Once you’ve figured out how to keep you and your little one alive, you wonder what should you do with your days? How can you best help your baby develop, enjoy themselves and thrive? And how can you do and stay sane (or as sane as possible)?
One of the very best ways of doing this for me has been baby massage. I started with baby massage beginnings, followed by baby massage and yoga combined and then baby stretch and sing classes. The intensely relaxing atmosphere (soothing music, dimmed lights, the glorious smell of orange blossom) was something I looked forward to each week. Massaging my baby was incredibly bonding, bringing a special warmth and closeness each time and on a practical level, I learnt helpful tips and techniques to use outside of class, as well as meeting some lovely mummy friends.
Here are some of the things I learnt from Sensory Land’s baby massage and yoga courses:
Arrive early
For the first couple of sessions, my little man did not play ball, crying and wriggling as I tried to give him a relaxing rub! But as the weeks went on, I got smarter about giving us both the best possible chance to get the most out of this fabulous class. So I started to arrive almost an hour early and settle him in a nearby coffee shop - feeding, changing him and generally attending to his needs so when we actually got to class he was in a zen-like state.
I love fennel tea
Who knew how delicious fennel tea could be? I’d never tried it before but a warm mug was provided in each lesson and I quickly developed a taste. I’ve since ordered stock for home (though I confess it never tastes quite as good when I brew it myself!).
How to do a “flying baby”
One of the favourite positions we learnt was the flying baby AKA Superbaby - putting baby carefully on your bent legs while you lie with your back on the floor. My son squealed in delight as he soared in the air, while my body got a small but much needed, workout at the same time.
It’s worth travelling for a good class
I almost didn’t sign up for the first baby massage course because it was further away from my home than I had planned to travel. However, I was persuaded by another mummy and I’m so pleased I was as it was the highlight of my week. The bus ride wasn’t half as bad as I imagined it might be and I then felt more confident about travelling further afield with bubba.
Baby massage isn’t just for mums
My hubby was able to come along to a session and got stuck in with the massage and yoga. He really loved seeing the enjoyment our boy got from the class and getting a little insight into how I was spending maternity leave.
It’s always a good time for a photoshoot
As well as wonderful baby massage, the classes were frequently set up for wonderful photoshoots. The best two photos I have of me and my boy - the ones (by far) I got the most compliments about - were taken in the class using simple, clever techniques to capture the joyful atmosphere. Frankly I’d have paid the price of the class again just for those amazing snaps. So, if you can find a class where it’s set up for photos and the teacher has a good eye, then all the better!
Online classes are great too
When social distancing meant the amazing face-to-face classes had to stop I was so worried I’d be massively missing out. But they quickly went online, and those classes were brilliant too. I still got the same bonding experience with my boy, and the brilliant instruction of tips, techniques and songs. To make the experience complete I simple spritzed some room spray and made myself a cup of fennel tea!
About the author
This blog was written by the lovely Bex, she began attending classes at Sensory Land when her little boy was around 8 weeks old. She is a fantastic supporter of all Sensory Land events, a wonderful mum and generally great human making all that attend classes with her feel welcome, comfortable & confident. It has been an absolute honour to watch her blossom over the months. We love Bex!
Maternal Mental Health Week
Monday 4th of May - Friday 8th of May 2020 is Maternal Mental Health Week. Learn more about the different types of Maternal Mental Health conditions, how common they are & what we can do to help. Post Natal depression is a very common mental health condition and no family should suffer alone.
Maternal Mental Health Week & Postnatal Depression
Advice for families living with PND
Mental health is as important to take care of as our physical health. Maternal Mental Health week draws attention to all of the ways parents may be feeling during & after pregnancy including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, psychosis, eating disorders & depression.
You may have heard of Post Natal Depression. This is more than the ‘baby blues’. It as well as the aforementioned conditions are something that no mother or family should suffer through alone. There is a lot of help available.
Below are some suggestions.
If you are living with any of these conditions just know that you are not alone. There is nothing wrong with you. You are not broken or doing anything wrong. You are stronger than you think and you can get through this.
Self Care
When you are busy caring for a newborn baby and recovering from this massive transition in life & your body it is important to make time for yourself each and every day.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Start your day with a large glass of water.
Practise big belly breathing. Focus on your breath for a moment. Deepen the in-breath and slow the out-breath. Breathwork is a brilliant way to calm your nervous system, relax and energise your body.
Movement - move your body daily, that could be through exercise, stretching, walking or dancing. This will help to release feel-good endorphins in your body. Moving your body is a great way to get out of your head and be present.
Get out of your house daily to get fresh air. There is real therapy in nature. If you can, go to a park or woodlands, somewhere near trees.
Spend less time on technology, especially social media or forums with other parents where you may compare yourself to others.
Think of something every day that makes you feel good, it can be a memory, something you are looking forward to or something you are grateful for that has happened in your day.
Practising mantras and positive affirmations [examples below]
Journalling, this can be a really great way to get things off your chest.
Eat the rainbow - try and consume a varied diet without processed foods, caffeine or refined sugars. Look after your gut. Your gut creates 90% of your body’s serotonin, a happy hormone.
Get as much sleep as possible.
Sing out loud & proud. Singing is brilliant for depression & there are many choirs for parents. You don’t need to sound like Charlotte Church to sing publically.
Surround yourself with good music to raise your vibrations.
Do more of what you love, that lights you up and makes you feel like you.
Create vision boards and be realistic about what you can achieve each day.
Try meditation & mindfulness.
If you are woo woo perhaps try keeping some crystals with you.
Things you can do with your baby
Skin to skin time which you can get through hugs and baby massage are brilliant for increasing Oxytocin & Serotonin for both you and baby. It also helps with the bonding process.
Carry your baby in your arms, a sling or carrier - this helps with changes in your hormones by lowering cortisol [the stress hormone] and increases oxytocin [the feel-good love hormone]. Having an understanding your biology can help you, see The Sling Consultancy for more information. Baby carrying also reduces crying in your baby which in turn can reduce anxiety & stress levels.
You are not alone
According to Tommys more than 1 in 10 mothers get Post Natal Depression. This can also affect fathers, adoptive parents & those that have previously miscarried or suffered baby loss.
Reach out to friends & family for help or services like the Samaritans.
There may be local support groups for you to join.
Talk about how you are feeling and be sure to take time out for yourself.
Our message to you
Don’t be ashamed. This isn’t anyone’s fault.
Do what you can, don’t put too much pressure on yourself [especially during lockdown]. Try not to compare yourself to others or worry about expectations.
You don’t need to have everything under control to be a ‘good’ mum.
Don’t be so hard on yourself, everyone is winging it, some are just good at appearing like they have their sh!t together.
No baby comes with an instruction manual so do not feel as though you are a failure.
Tomorrow is a new day.
This too shall pass.
Positive affirmations & mantras to try
I am enough
I love myself & my baby
I am an amazing mum, even as I work hard to be a better one
Not loving every moment of being a parent does not mean you don’t love being a mother.
I am all that my little angel needs
No one can be a better mother for my children than I can
Trust your instincts you are the best mum your baby can have.
The advice and suggestions in this blog are from a collective of mothers, health care professionals and Baby Massage & Yoga specialists in the Blossom & Berry network.
Have you lived through any of these mental health conditions?
What helped you through it? Share your top tips with us and help another family <3