Baby Yoga action songs for calming and distraction

Have you discovered that your baby stops crying as soon as you stand up?! I remember for a good few months being unable to sit down with my babies, they all seemed to go through this short stage of demanding to be up and moving. Well please be rest assured it’s a very short stage and here are some action songs to make it more fun!

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Have fun with these action songs and let me know how you get on ♡ 

How does Baby Yoga help?

If your baby or child is feeling fractious, disorganised, unsettled, these magic swings and divine drops will help them to feel more settled and balanced. Most babies really enjoy the sensation of swinging as they crave the constant movement they were used to in the womb. The swings and the drops are fantastic for developing both the vestibular and proprioceptive systems and for their overall co-ordination.

Precautions

♡  Please consider waiting for your babies 6 week check before practicing Baby Yoga.

♡  If you have any concerns about your baby please clear with your GP before trying Baby Yoga.

Before you start

♡  Please make sure you have waited around 45 minutes after your babies last feed to practice these moves.

♡ Find a comfortable space on the floor, turn off the TV, your phone and feel free from any distractions.

♡  Feel confident that your baby is happy, well and ready to participate.

Practicing the movements

♡ Stand with a straight back and slightly bent knees. Bring baby across your chest to hold them upright and central to start with.

♡  Magic Swings: Secure baby with your arm across their chest and your other arm threads up between babies legs with your forefingers holding the front of their diaper and your thumb holding the back. Start with small movements at first, keeping them close to you with small swings. See how your baby is with this and if you feel confident, start to swing out further. If your baby has ‘jittery’ arms, this may be a sign that they are not enjoying the movement. If they are kicking their legs and/or squealing this is a sign they are enjoying themselves!

♡ Divine Drops: Make sure that your back is straight and you have slightly bent knees when you attempt to drop them between your legs. Make sure that you feel confident you are holding your baby securely. The drop needs to be fast and short lived. Down and back up, just like that - and lots of kisses and cuddles and praise after.

As you can hear on the video my toddler asks for me to do this again and again and again! I can always cheer him up with some swinging and drops, he will never turn it down if I ask him if he wants to do some ‘Yoga swings’!

I really hope this helps. Please let me know if you have had any success. Good luck!

Love Lucy ♡

What is Reflexology for Babies and Children

Reflexology is a non invasive gentle therapy suitable for babies from birth. Tiny babies, children and adults can all benefit from this ancient therapy that has been used for centuries to bring about healing, balance and a sense of well-being.

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Here’s a video explaining a little bit about reflexology. Get in touch with any queries! ♡

👣 What is reflexology

Reflexology is based on the principle that all our body parts and bodily systems are reflected on the feet and the hands. Applying gentle massage and therapeutic touch to specific areas will have an effect in the corresponding body part or to the whole child.

👣 How can reflexology help my baby or child

♡ For Babies

• Helps to alleviate symptoms from colic, reflux, teething, colds, unsettledness

• Encourages bonding and attachment between baby and care-giver

• Promotes calm, is soothing and relaxing

• Assists the Immune system

• Aids deeper and more restful sleep

♡ For Children (including the above)

• Helps with ‘Tummy’ aches, non-specific ailments, headaches, behavioural issues

• Supports children with stress and anxiety

• Helps to concentrate and focus

• Encourages ability to relax

• Promotes self confidence and self esteem

👣 Research into reflexology

Care-givers who have witnessed the impact of Reflexology on their baby or child or indeed even themselves, may not need to see research to know it ‘works’. However it’s great that there is always ongoing research into reflexology to help validate its credibility.

One large review by Kunz and Kunz (2008) summarized 168 research studies and abstracts from journals and meetings from around the world. Many of these studies originated in peer-reviewed journals in China and Korea. All of the studies had information about the frequency and duration of the reflexology application. Based on the studies they reviewed, Kunz and Kunz concluded that reflexology may:

✔  Impact specific organs

For example, fMRI readings demonstrated an increase in blood flow to kidneys and to the intestines.

✔  Improve symptoms

In particular, positive changes were noted in kidney functioning with kidney dialysis patients.

✔  Induce relaxation

Though EEG measurements of alpha and theta waves, researchers saw that blood pressure was decreased, and anxiety was lowered.

✔  Reduce pain

Twenty-seven studies demonstrated a positive outcome for reduction in pain; e.g., AIDS, chest pain, peripheral neuropathy of diabetes mellitus, kidney stones, and osteoarthritis.

Other systematic reviews are cautious in saying that reflexology may:

• have a positive effect on type 2 diabetes (Song, 2015)

• exert a beneficial effect on lowering blood pressure and incontinence (Song, 2015)

• have a positive impact on blood pressure (McCullough, 2014)

• be effective for tingling in MS (Yadav, 2015)

These reviews note that the quality of research studies on reflexology is generally low. 

Specific research into paediatric reflexology

Koc and Gozen (2015) note a statistically significant difference in pain scores of infants suffering from acute pain between the reflexology and control groups. The infants in the reflexology group also had lower heart rates, higher oxygen saturation, and shorter crying periods than the infants in the control group.

Gordon et al. (2010) compared the effectiveness of foot reflexology, foot massage, and regular treatment (control group) in children (1-12 years) with chronic idiopathic constipation over a 12-week period. The study design was a randomized control trial. The authors report that the reflexology group had the greatest increase in the number of bowel movements and the greatest reduction in constipation symptom scores. There were significant differences between reflexology and control groups; however, there was no significant difference between reflexology and massage for bowel frequency, and no significant difference between control and massage groups for bowel frequency or overall constipation symptom scores.

👣 Can I give reflexology to my child myself?

Yes. Reflexology is completely safe when the pressure applied is extremely gentle. The pressure used in a typical reflexology treatment for an adult is not the same as for a baby or child. My video tutorials aim to give you the tools to feel confident to try a little bit of Reflexology for your child and see if it can make a difference. It can be a wonderful opportunity to try something between being able to make an appointment with your GP, another Health Practitioner or indeed even a qualified Reflexologist.

I really hope this helps.  Please leave a comment if the video has helped you or if you have any other questions, get in touch!

Love Lucy ♡

Apply Sunscreen to your baby with this fun rhyme!

If you have ever tried to apply suncream to a writhing and complaining baby or toddler you’ll need no explanation to why this will be helpful!

Check out Non Toxic Sunscreen here: https://amzn.to/2zHmIsk

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Try the rhyme and actions for yourself with this video and let me know how you get on ♡ 

How does this rhyme help?

The actions and rhyme in the video are simply a great distraction! It’s fun and silly and your baby or toddler will get caught up in the ‘fun’ of it and forget that you’re actually trying to put sun cream on them!

Speech and Language development

Talking, singing, playing, touching, making eye contact with your baby is all helping to develop their speech and language.

I really hope this helps. Please let me know if you have had any success. Good luck!

Love Lucy ♡

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Baby Massage for calming, soothing and sleep

Sleep is so different for everyone. What works for one baby won’t for another, but massage universally has a very calming, soothing effect and promotes a deeper, more quality sleep.

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Try this short wind down routine in the video and I would love to know how you get on ♡ 

Research from the Touch Institute in Miami on Sleep:

Sleep problems in infants decrease following massage therapy. 

Infants and toddlers with sleep onset problems were given daily massages by their parents for 15 minutes prior to bedtime for one month. Based on parent diaries the massaged versus the control children (who were read bedtime stories) showed fewer sleep delay behaviors and had a shorter latency to sleep onset by the end of the study. Forty-five minute behavior observations by an independent observer also revealed more time awake, alert and active and more positive affect in the massaged children by the end of the study.

Field, T., & Hernandez-Reif, M., (2001). Early Child Development and Care, 168, 95-104.

How does Baby Massage help?

When babies are being massaged, they release oxytocin, the feel good ‘love’ hormone which calms, soothes and promotes sleep. Melatonin and serotonin, the sleep regulating hormones are increased, and cortisol the stress hormone is decreased. Massage also stimulates the vagus nerve which is responsible for all the resting and relaxation responses in the body.

Before you start

♡  Please make sure you have waited around 45 minutes after your babies last feed.

♡ Find a comfortable space on the floor, turn off the TV, your phone and feel free from any distractions.

♡  Feel confident that your baby is happy, well enough and ready to participate.

Practicing the strokes

♡  Make sure that you also feel happy and not stressed! Take a few deep breaths before you start. Shake out your arms and hands. Ask your baby if they would like a massage to soothe and relax them.

♡  Bring them close to you so they can see you and feel safe.

♡ Use a sing-song voice with lots of encouragement and praise.

♡ The slower and deeper* your massage stroke, the more calming and sleep inducing. A light and fast stroke will be stimulating.

*We never use deep strokes on babies. Start softly, gently and gradually sink your hands in a little deeper if you feel baby is allowing.

Essential oil use

If you feel you would like to and feel confident using Essential Oils, they can be very relieving for coldy symptoms and wonderfully supportive emotionally as well as physically. Essential oils must be used with caution, sparingly and never ingested.. Safe oils for babies are Lavender Lavandula angustifolia, Roman Chamomile Anthemis nobilis and Mandarin Citrus reticulata. Lavender in particular is amazing for encouraging and promoting sleep. Roman Chamomile for relieving pain and Mandarin for ‘fractious babies’. Oils must always be very high quality and organic if possible. Here in the UK, I recommend Neals Yard to ensure safety and quality. Electric steam diffusers are also a fantastic way to diffuse the oils into a room safely. If you would like advice on essential oil use please consult a qualified aromatherapist.

Research from the Touch Institute Miami into Lavender Oil for Babies:

Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants.

Very young infants were given a bath with or without lavender-scented bath oil. The mothers in the lavender bath oil group were more relaxed, smiled and touched their infants more during the bath. Their infants looked at them a greater percentage of the bath time and cried less and spent more time in deep sleep after the bath. The cortisol levels of this group of mothers and infants significantly decreased, confirming the behavioral data showing increased relaxation of the mothers and their infants. These findings support a body of research showing the relaxing and sleep-inducing properties of lavender aroma*

Field, T., Cullen, C., Largie, S., Diego, M., Schanberg, S. & Kuhn, C. (2008).  Early Human Development, 84, 399-401.

*I have included this research out of interest but please be aware that Lavender Essential Oil in the bath could be ingested by your baby and must be monitored with caution. If you would like to try a bath with lavender oil - One or two drops maximum of Lavender EO must be mixed into a tablespoon of milk before adding into the bath. The fat in the milk disperses the oil so that the Lavender oil doesn’t ‘sit’ on the top of the bath water.

I really hope this helps. Please leave a comment if this video has helped or if you have had any success. Thank your so much and good luck!

Love Lucy ♡

Baby Yoga give yourself a cuddle fun action rhyme

This is a lovely two minute Baby Yoga Stretch Sequence for you to do with your baby. The mixture of poses and movements to the rhyme and song will bring many benefits!

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Have fun with this short baby yoga sequence and I would love to know how you get on ♡ 

How does Baby Yoga help?

These poses and movements will help to strengthen and tone your babies little muscles, encourage flexibility and increase circulation and blood flow to the joints. They are great for your babies body awareness and for stimulating your baby mentally as well as physically. The rhymes and songs are brilliant for your babies speech and language development. This time spent together, one to one with that pure uninterrupted focus on your baby is fantastic for strengthening your bond and deepening your attachment. It’s fun for you both and great for your babies self esteem and confidence.

Before you start

♡  Please make sure you have waited around 45 minutes after your babies last feed to practice this sequence of movements.

♡ Find a comfortable space on the floor, turn off the TV, your phone and feel free from any distractions.

♡  Feel confident that your baby is happy, well enough and ready to participate.

Practicing the movements

♡  Make sure that you also feel happy and not stressed! Take a few deep breaths before you start. Shake out your arms and hands. Ask your baby if they are ready to try some fun yoga moves to help them feel better.

♡  Bring them close to you so they can see you and feel safe.

♡ Use a sing-song voice with lots of encouragement and praise. Try the song! They love to hear you singing.

♡  Only take the movements as far as baby wants to. If you come up against resistance, bounce the arms gently saying ‘relax’ and try again. All babies have different flexibility, if at any time they are uncomfortable please stop and try again another day!

I really hope this helps. Please let me know if this video has been helpful and you have had any success. Thank you so much and good luck!

Love Lucy ♡

Baby Yoga Stretch after a long car journey

Car seats are inevitable! A part of modern parenting. If babies are in them for a long time, their hips can get quite stiff as the blood flow to the hips is compromised. Their back doesn’t get to stretch out. It’s also potentially quite bad for their digestion as they don’t have the opportunity to move any air bubbles through the intestines and can get quite congested.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Have fun with this short baby yoga sequence and I would love to know how you get on ♡ 

How does Baby Yoga help?

Doing this sequence for five minutes after getting baby out of their car seat will get the blood flowing to the joints, help the lower back to have a good stretch and get the intestines flowing again.

Precautions

♡  Please consider waiting for your babies 6 week check before practicing baby yoga.

♡  If you have any concerns with your babies hips please clear with your GP before trying these stretches.

Before you start

♡  Please make sure you have waited around 45 minutes after your babies last feed to practice this sequence of movements.

♡ Find a comfortable space on the floor, turn off the TV, your phone and feel free from any distractions.

♡  Feel confident that your baby is happy, well and ready to participate.

Practicing the movements

♡  Make sure that you also feel happy and not stressed! Take a few deep breaths before you start. Shake out your arms and hands. Ask your baby or child if they are ready to try some fun yoga moves to help them feel better.

♡  Bring them close to you so they can see you and feel safe.

♡ Use a sing-song voice with lots of encouragement and praise.

♡  Only take the movements as far as baby wants to. If you come up against resistance, bounce the legs gently saying ‘relax’ and try again. All babies have different flexibility, if at any time they are uncomfortable please stop and try again another day!

I really hope this helps. Please leave a comment if this video has helped you or if you have had any success trying out the moves. Good luck!

Love Lucy ♡

Baby Yoga for colds and congestion

Colds, coughs, snuffles, congested chests are so miserable for baby and carers alike! The beauty of practicing Baby Yoga not only brings relief to baby but empowers you to feel like you are doing something to help.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Try this short baby yoga sequence and I would love to know how you get on! ♡ 

How does Baby Yoga help?

These movements and stretches really get the blood moving around the body. They get the circulation and lymphatic system going, activating the immune system and speeding up the healing response.

The actions and song are a fantastic distraction, gives you and baby some bonding time and communicates to baby that you know they feel unwell and understand.

Before you start

♡  Please make sure you have waited around 45 minutes after your babies last feed to practice this sequence of movements.

♡ Find a comfortable space on the floor, turn off the TV, your phone and feel free from any distractions.

♡  Feel confident that your baby is happy, well enough and ready to participate. Things to consider: Even though they are under the weather, are they making eye-contact, making happy cooing noises, do they seem playful?

Practicing the movements

♡  Make sure that you also feel happy and not stressed! Take a few deep breaths before you start. Shake out your arms and hands. Ask your baby if they are ready to try some fun yoga moves to help them feel better.

♡  Bring them close to you so they can see you and feel safe.

♡ Use a sing-song voice with lots of encouragement and praise. Try the song! They love to hear you singing.

♡  Only take the movements as far as baby wants to. If you come up against resistance, bounce the arms gently saying ‘relax’ and try again. All babies have different flexibility, if at any time they are uncomfortable please stop and try again another day!

I really hope this helps. Please do leave a comment if this video has helped you or if you have had any success. Thank you so much and good luck!

Love Lucy ♡