Benefits of baby massage and yoga
Infants who experience more physical contact with caregivers demonstrate increased mental development in the first six months of life compared to young children who receive limited physical interaction. Furthermore, this improved cognitive development has been shown to last even after eight years, illustrating the importance of positive interactions. Infants who receive above-average levels of affection from their mothers are shown to be less likely to be hostile, anxious, or emotionally distressed as adults.
(Coleman, Daniel. “The Experience of Touch: Research Points to a Critical Role.” New York Times. February 1988 and Gardner, Amanda. “Can a Mother’s Affection Prevent Anxiety in Adulthood?” CNN.com. July 2010) Taken from Urban Child Institute
Benefits of a holistic approach for pregnancy and childhood
A holistic approach to health can have huge benefits for you and your family helping to promote wellbeing through the treatment of the body, mind and spirit.
We have listed some of the many benefits of attending our classes, workshops and enjoying our treatments.
Baby Massage – What is it and how can it help?
Massage is a wonderful and special gift that you can share with your baby. Baby massage is an ancient art used in many diverse cultures to help with a variety of physical and emotional needs and to promote relaxation. Babies crave skin contact. Touch is your baby’s most developed sense at birth and through it you can communicate love, security and trust to your baby immediately. Everyone has the ability to touch and massage another. You do not need any qualifications to massage your baby. Baby massage is simply a method that helps to reinforce the natural power of touch.
Baby massage will allow you to understand your baby’s subtle non verbal language and develop your ability to listen to your baby through the creation of a special intimate time together.
When you massage your baby you lay down the foundations of trust and security which will help you to build a happy and confident relationship with your baby for the future.
Specific benefits for your baby include:
Enhances Physical Development
Infant massage is not just about relaxation, it also plays a vital role in promoting physical development. Gentle strokes can stimulate the circulatory and digestive systems, helping with issues like colic, diarrhoea, hiccups, gas, and constipation. Additionally, massage can support muscle tone and joint flexibility, contributing to motor skills development as your baby grows.
Boosts Immunity and Overall Health
Regular massage can have a positive impact on your baby’s immune system. The stimulation of the skin can enhance lymphatic drainage, aiding the body in fighting off infections and illnesses.
Improves Sleep Patterns
Many parents find that a gentle massage before bedtime can significantly improve their baby’s sleep patterns. A massage helps to relax the baby, reducing stress hormones and encouraging the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. The relaxation response triggered by massage can lead to better sleep patterns, which is crucial for a baby’s overall health and development.
Supports Cognitive and Sensory Development
Massage is a sensory-rich activity that can stimulate a baby’s developing brain. The variety of textures, temperatures, and pressures experienced during a massage can enhance sensory awareness and cognitive development. Stimulation is crucial during the early months when the brain is rapidly growing and forming connections.
Reduces Stress and Crying
Babies, just like adults, can experience stress. The world is a new and often overwhelming place for them. Baby massage can help reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels and promoting relaxation. Reduction in stress can lead to less crying and fussiness, making for a happier baby and a more peaceful household.
Encourages Parental Confidence
For new parents, the journey can be filled with uncertainties and self-doubt. Learning and practicing baby massage can empower parents, giving them a sense of confidence in their ability to care for and comfort their baby. Bonding with your baby provides confidence that can have a positive ripple effect, improving the overall parenting experience
Baby Massage is great fun to learn and a brilliant way to meet other parents and spend special time with your baby.
Baby Yoga – What is it and how does it help?
Baby Yoga is based on the principles of adult yoga; breathing, stretching and relaxation. Baby Yoga classes help to get babies to stretch and move and to discover their abilities and bodies. Parents also practice gentle yoga stretches too which can help the body recover after birth. Yoga helps balance the body and mind and can help boost circulation and digestion, strengthen joints and muscles, and encourage removal of waste and toxins in the body.
Baby Yoga is a fantastic way to support your baby’s development by improving muscle strength and tone, co ordination, and balance. It is also a wonderful way to bond with your baby and have fun together. It encourages instinctive parenting and promotes many well- used techniques for calming, soothing and reassuring baby. A session of baby yoga stimulates all baby’s body systems and helps to integrate all of baby’s senses. Baby Yoga sessions use fun rhymes and songs to help you learn the simple movements and to help relax baby.