Feb 21: For the Dads! Read my article on Bath Mums about the benefits for baby massage for dads.

Feb 21: For the Dads! Read my article on Bath Mums about the benefits for baby massage for dads.

https://bathmums.co.uk/posts/view/supporting-dads-through-baby-massage

Excerpt below…

A couple of years ago a same sex male couple who had adopted a baby contacted me about baby massage classes. This chance encounter gave me a idea.

Baby massage had been recommended to them by their health worker and they wanted to give it a try, so we did a few sessions together which they found useful and supportive for their new family unit.

Prior to this my classes were only appealing to local mums, probably because most dads are out at work in the day time and mums are on maternity leave, or are stay at home parents. The feedback from the same sex couple was so positive that I decided to add on a 6th session to my course that would be for dads only. At the time no-one else was offering this in the area and it became really popular.

A year on, and around 100+ dads later, the sessions are going really well. Most men naturally have concerns before coming to the group and some are unsure why they are even there. For mums it has the added benefit of a morning of free time but for the dads, the main benefits are bonding and learning a new skill.

Many dads only get to see their little one in the evening and often only get home in time for bath and bed time. Learning how to give them some massage is a beautiful way to interact and get to know them and have skin to skin contact. It may only be for 10 minutes or so but the benefits are bountiful…

If there are any dads or indeed mums who’d like to find out more about the baby massage courses I run in Bath please contact me.

Feb 04: ‘Reflexology’ for babies

Feb 04: ‘Reflexology’ for babies

Had fun teaching the ‘Reflexology’ part of my Baby Massage course yesterday. Interesting how reflex points found on the feet and hands correspond to specific organs, muscles, bones and body systems. and by applying gentle pressure to congested areas in the feet, blockages can be released to restore the flow of energy to the whole body. It certainly worked on the digestive points, an active class!!

Feb 02: How to Help Infants Learn and Remember

Feb 02: How to Help Infants Learn and Remember

A nap after learning helps a baby consolidate its learning and memories, a new study finds. The study suggests that a flexible napping schedule could help infants learn. Dr. Jane Herbert, one of the study’s authors, said, “These findings are particularly interesting to both parents and educationalists because they suggest that the optimal time for infants to learn new information is just before they have a sleep. Until now, people have presumed that the best time for infants to learn is when they are wide awake, rather than when they are starting to feel sleepy, but our results show that activities occurring just before infants have a nap can be particularly valuable and well-remembered.”

The study, published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, involved showing over 200 infants between six and twelve months old how to remove a mitten from a puppet. They were tested on their newly learned skill 4 hours later and after 24 hours.

Some of the infants napped within four hours of learning while others did not. The results showed that only infants who napped for at least 30 minutes within four hours of learning could remember how to remove the puppet’s mitten. Babies that did not nap within four hours could not remember.

“Parents receive lots of advice about what they should and shouldn’t do with their baby’s sleep schedule. The study, however, examined learning opportunities around naturally occurring naps and shows just how valuable activities like reading books with young children just before they go down to sleep can be,” Dr. Jane Herbert continued.

The researchers conclude: “Until now people have presumed that the best time for infants to learn is when they are wide awake, rather than when they are starting to feel sleepy, but our results show that activities occurring just before infants have a nap can be particularly valuable and well-remembered.”

Content taken from IAIM.net/2015

Jan 15: Healthy Snacks

Jan 15: Healthy Snacks

Rather proud of my cranberry, apricot and nut health bars, freshly baked and ready for Baby Massage class today #healthlysnacks

Jan 08: January’s Baby Massage course underway!

Jan 08: January’s Baby Massage course underway!

A very happy January group. There was lots of cooing and gurgling. If you’d like to join one of the monthly groups please get in touch.

Jan 01: New Baby Massage Course Dates Added

Jan 01: New Baby Massage Course Dates Added

We’ve added new dates to our list of Baby Massage Courses for the start of 2015