Today I was invited to a taster baby massage class hosted by Cosy Hands Baby Massage https://cosyhands.com/ in the Discovery Room at John Lewis Cardiff.
Emma Bidhendy, is a qualified massage therapist and founder of Cosy Hands Baby Massage. Emma is also a busy mum of two and her main job as a Maternity & Breastfeeding Support Worker, she has done for almost 20 years.
In her words, Cosy Hands is something that has come as a natural extension of her main role, not just as a compliment to traditional post-natal care but as a way of helping to develop strong bonds between parent and baby in a natural and organic way.
Emma started off the session explaining what baby massage is and where it originates from.
Massaging children regularly from just a day or two after they are born is a centuries-old tradition still practised in many cultures. In India, for example, up to 96 percent of care-givers practice traditional oil massage on their newborns.
Massaging children regularly from just a day or two after they are born is a centuries-old tradition still practised in many cultures. In India, for example, up to 96 percent of care-givers practice traditional oil massage on their newborns.
We stripped our babies down to their nappies to begin, with a lovely calming atmosphere and ideally low level lighting. (Today we couldn't dim the lights due to John Lewis' lighting system) and asked our babies if they were ready for us to start. Hugo was too busy rolling and cooing to the other babies to worry about what mummy wanted to do!
We used coconut fractionated oil to massage, just a pea size amount, (we patch tested first just to ensure they weren't allergic). Emma guided us a through a full body massage, explaining what movements benefitted different ailments.
We used coconut fractionated oil to massage, just a pea size amount, (we patch tested first just to ensure they weren't allergic). Emma guided us a through a full body massage, explaining what movements benefitted different ailments.
Baby massage can help with congestion, help relieve colic and constipation, improve sleeping patterns, plus much more. It's also a wonderful way to bond with your baby.
If you are unsure about joining a baby group then this is the ideal class. Small class sizes, a warm, friendly environment and amazing bonding time with your baby.
If you've never done baby massage before, I highly recommend it. I completed a course when I had Harriet and I continued throughout Harriet's baby stage and I can't wait to continue with Hugo.
Victoria
x
No comments
Post a Comment