I am absolutely delighted to have taken on a new venue in the gorgeous market town of Ashburton, Devon.
I will be working here every Monday at the moment and offering all my maternity services – pregnancy massage (pre & post) and Hypnobirthing courses as well as Breast feeding support (from September 2022).
You can make a booking via this link and you can also read all about the venue here Yellow Door Therapies
I look forward to seeing you there!
We are delighted to announce that in January 2022 we will be adding an additional location for our popular baby massage classes – Newton Abbott in South Devon.
Polly, owner of Bump Birth Baby UK and The Bath Massage Company will be running these classes every Friday from a lovely venue, The Wholesome Hippo, in the town centre.
With over 8 years experience of teaching the IAIM Baby Massage programme Polly has taught hundreds of parents the wonderful art of baby massage and now brings her experience to South Devon.
You can view the course dates here
We are finally into summer and as restrictions ease we are happy to be running our face to face classes again.
Mel is now running Baby yoga every week along with the usual baby massage
Here are the next course dates:
July 8th Baby Massage
July 15th Baby Yoga
Mel will be taking a break from teaching after July and will resume the courses in October.
For all the details on course please see Book Baby Massage Classes In Bath | Baby Massage & Reflexology Class In Bath (bumpbirthbabyuk.com)
We are delighted that our baby massage classes in Bath will be running face to face again from April 15th.
Here are our confirmed start dates:
🍼 April 15th at 10.30am
🍼 May 6th at 12.30pm
🍼 June 3rd at 10.30am
All courses run for 6 sessions and 90 minutes. Discount available for NCT and group bookings. We provide everything you need, including a take home handbook showing all the massage techniques, an organic cold pressed massage oil to keep and milestone cards.
Due to Covid restrictions and socially distance recommendations we have 5 places available on each course. click here for details
We look forward to seeing all you lovely parents and little ones soon 🌈 Baby massage is a wonderful way to spend dedicated time with your little one whilst learning a skill for life, and we are delighted that our baby massage classes in bath are back. You can read more about the benefits of baby massage here
If you’re a new parent then time to cook can be scarce in the first few weeks, you may need a pick me up, which is why these No Bake Energy Balls can be a quick and easy option. The new parenting days can disappear into a whirlwind of feeding, nappy changes, sleep, bathing and all things related to having a new born.
It’s easy to forget yourself, but you need energy and healthy food to keep you going! I make these easy no bake energy balls for the parents who come on my baby massage courses, and they love them, so here is the recipe for you to enjoy. And you don’t have to be a new parent to enjoy these, I make these for all of my family as a quick healthy snack, they make great breakfast bites for the whole week!
No Bake Energy Balls
Ingredients
1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup ground flax seed
½ cup chopped dried fruit (dates, apricots etc)
⅓ cup honey
1 tablespoon chia seeds (Optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Step 1 – Combine oats, peanut butter, ground flax seed, chocolate chips, honey, chia seeds, and vanilla extract together in a bowl. Cover and chill dough in the refrigerator 30 minutes.
Step 2 – Remove dough from refrigerator; roll into balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
Notes:
Press dough into a parchment-lined baking sheet and cut into bars as an alternative to balls.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week
The importance of positive touch on our wellbeing & development is huge – we are advocates of positive touch and know the huge benefits of it. That’s why we are passionate about teaching parents the art of baby massage, and all it has to offer. We’ve always believed positive touch from birth has a huge impact on our wellbeing and development.
This quote from Dr Katerina Fotopoulou, professor of psychodynamic neuroscience at University College London says it all. “The need for touch exists below the horizon of consciousness. Before birth, when the amniotic fluid in the womb swirls around us and the foetal nervous system can distinguish our own body from our mother’s, our entire concept of self is rooted in touch. The human body has built all its models based on touch received from caregivers. We’re utterly reliant on the caregiver to satisfy the body’s core needs. Little can be done without touch”
Lockdown has prevented most new parents from meeting up with other new parents, and having that important support bubble around them. Without many baby/toddler groups running another lifeline has been taken away.
Online classes are a good alternative option and still offer support, contact with other parents and a break from lockdown stresses. The importance of positive touch on our wellbeing & development is huge and joining an online course will bring you some of that.
We are running our courses throughout February and March so get in touch for more details.
This recent article explores the affects of not having physical touch over the past year on our mental health –
Mel, our expert Reflexologist and Baby Massage teacher talks about the highly beneficial reflex points on babies and how massaging them can help alleviate all sorts of symptoms babies have….“Our feet are full of points that correlate to all parts of the body, including the sinuses, chest and abdomen.
If your little one is snuffly and congested, or struggling with digestive issues, you may be able to offer them some relief by massaging the reflex points on their feet. Apply gentle but firm pressure to get results. And avoid tickling (contrary to belief young babies don’t like to be tickled and it can be stressful for them).
Sinuses
These are located in the pads of the toes. By gently squeezing and massaging each of the toes you will stimulate the sinus reflexes and break down any stagnant energy in these points. This will help clear congestion.
Chest
The area below the toes taking up the upper part of the foot. The chest includes the lungs, so again, a brilliant reflex point for helping with any congestive issues and breathing.
Upper and lower abdomen
1 of my favourite reflex points, the area in the middle and lower part of the sole (not the heel), containing the stomach, and the large and small intestines. For any digestive issues including trapped wind and constipation massage this entire area. You may find this very effective!
Just a note
If your little one doesn’t want you to do reflexology on them & kicks and pulls away, try holding their feet in your hands to let them get used to your touch. They may have negative associations from heel pricks and need to gain your trust that you won’t hurt their feet“
If you are interested in learning more about reflex points and massage for babies, and want to join one of our courses then please get in touch with us.
