BABY MASSAGE

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.  

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.

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.

Emma runs classes at Hot Yoga Health Newport and Mothercare Cardiff.  Please contact her for dates and times.  She can also offer 1-2-1 sessions within your own home.  Classes are suitable for babies between 6 weeks of age and crawling stage.

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
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A DOGS TALE

'Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole'

Are you a dog person?  Isn't everyone deep down a dog person?  To me dogs are the most wonderful animals on the planet.  I own horses, dogs, cats and goats, but nothing is as special as that bond between you and your dog.

The day we adopted him

We adopted buster 7 years ago from Hope Rescue.  We didn't care what breed, what colour, what size dog we had.  We just wanted a dog that suited our lifestyle and vice versa.  After filling in adoptions forms and having a home check, Hope Rescue suggested the dogs they had at the time that would  be most suitable.  We visited Buster first, a six month old collie cross ands immediately fell in love.  Buster had been in a foster home so they were able to test him with cats and other dogs, he was already toilet trained and had been neutered.

He is the kindest most loving dog I have ever owned.  My companion on many an adventure with  the horses, a surrogate mum to orphan lambs, babysitter to anyones children and postman attacker!

Buster and Harry

4 years ago we decided to adopt another dog from Hope rescue and Harry the lurcher pup entered our home.  They are such different dogs but bring so much joy (and dog hair) into our lives.  I think it's wonderful that Harriet and Hugo will grow up with these boys.

Having pets teaches children responsibility and compassion and definitely encourages an outdoor lifestyle.  Well, if you have dogs like ours that require a long, active, off lead walk twice a day in all weathers then you don't mind anything!

He has been my faithful companion through two babies, a house move and an additional dog.  He is still by my side wherever I go, even toilet trips.  He's still attacking the postman, still not listening out on walks, but still my best boy.

Here's to another 7 years Buster Boo

Victoria 

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