Reflexology for Babies

A reflexology treatment can release blockages in the flow of energy through the body. This can help the body heal naturally. Feet are divided into 10 zones. These 10 zones run vertically up the length of the body and down through the hands. It's also possible to apply pressure to the reflex points on your babies hands, if the feet are not accessible.

To start with, gently hold your babies feet to relax your baby and connect with them. Make sure both you and your baby are in a comfortable position. You might want to sit on a cushion on the floor and rest your baby on their back on a soft blanket. Make sure your baby is receptive to reflexology. If your baby shows any sign of distress, try again another time, when your baby is more calm and alert.

As babies have such small feet, compared to our hands, you'll find that you are 

Reflexology to Soothe Teething Pain

Method

1.Remove babies socks or footwear and relax both feet by gently holding each foot, either one at a time or both together.2.Stroke up the five zones of each foot (see lines on feet above) and massage the head, gums and mouth and adrenals reflexology points.3.Observe any sensitivity, pause and then try the tender spot again.
4.End with a thumb press into the solar plexus points on both feet and then some gentle stroking up each foot. 

5 Ways to Fit Yoga Into Your Day

1. Practice with your baby or child

By practicing yoga with your baby or child, you will be giving your child the most wonderful gift of an introduction to yoga. Not sure how? See Baby Yoga or practice some simple yoga breathing or mantras with your child. Try, 'I am peace'.

2. Breathe

When you feel like you are stressed or upset, try counting to 10 and inhaling and counting to 10 and exhaling three times. Allow yourself to relax into the breath. You always have a choice in how your react and when you slow your breathing down, your body will make a choice from a better place.

3. Meditate

Try meditating, even if it's just for one moment each day.

4. Bring Yoga Postures off the Yoga Mat

Whether you're pushing your buggy or walking to the shops, be aware of your posture. Tuck in your tailbone, elongate your spine, feel like there is a piece of string lifting the crown of your head to the sky. Walk proud.

5. Use online Yoga Videos to Practice at Home

Squatting

I'm not talking about living in someone else's house illegally.

Squatting, as in sitting back on your hunches, with your heels flat on the floor is a lost art in the UK. When you visit countries, such as Japan, you'll notice that the majority of people squat to eat and it is a very natural position. See link 

Squatting (or crouching) has many scientifically proven health benefits, including a reduction in prostate cancer, improving balance, stimulating the digestive system and lengthening the spine. I've heard that squatting can help improve bad knee conditions and is a wonderful birthing position, which has been used for centuries.

I've also noticed that toddlers squat a lot when playing. It's a very natural position for a child to play in and an incredibly important one for them developmentally as it helps strengthen their muscles.  Squatting does use completely different muscles to the ones you may be used to using, so it may take some practice until it feels comfortable.

While sitting in a chair or sofa is very comfortable, it is not the optimum position for our spine to be in. We often find ourselves hunched over a computer screen or slouched watching television. When you squat, your leg muscles are active and your head held high and your spine is straight.

During baby yoga classes, I often encourage mums'/carers to squat while holding their babies and come to a standing position. It's a wonderful exercise with many benefits, as stated above.

Born to Move

I have been searching the internet to find some research to evidence why babies love movement so much. There is lots of information on baby wearing, which does involve movement, but nothing specifically on movement.  Perhaps the answer to why babies love movement is very simple?  

When I was pregnant, I noticed that while I was busy during the day, the baby was quite still, but once I got into bed, the baby kicked. A lot. So maybe this is the origin of why babies love the sensation of being carried and held. 

An unsettled baby loves to be held and a great way of holding a baby is in a sling or baby carrier. It makes life so much easier for the caregiver, as it enables you to have both your hands free and still provide comfort for your baby.  Many newborn babies spend a lot of time sleeping.  I found my babies slept for only short bursts in a moses basket, but would sleep for much longer periods in a sling. 

Once a baby starts to be awake for longer periods, you may wish to look for ways to play with your baby.  And this is what makes baby yoga so unique.  Baby yoga involves movement for your baby, while combining exercise for you in the process. As your baby's caregiver, you are the centre of their world and by interacting with your baby through touch and with movement, you will find a whole new way of playing with your baby. There are different holds to help relieve colic and calm them, different ways to give your baby some much loved feeling of movement and ways to hold your baby to protect your back.  I have held many babies in 'Tiger in the Tree' pose at the end of the class and it never fails to settle a tired baby. Unless of course, they are hungry.

Knowing a few baby yoga tricks can make life with a small baby so much easier and even more fun. Teeny Tiny baby yoga classes are also a personal journey as babies change so rapidly, you'll notice the developmental differences between movements your baby did at the beginning of the course and at the end.  While toys and external stimulation have a place in your babies life, I strongly believe that you are all your baby needs and baby yoga is a beautiful way of giving you more resources to play with, and comfort your baby.