Halcyon Babies
Now offering Baby Massage with Aromatherapy! (For babies 6 weeks+)
Learn massage techniques to soothe and calm your baby, whilst also assisting with digestion, restful sleep, muscle tone, joint mobility, and bonding. With the additional benefits of essential oils for double the relaxation effects!
Currently only offering one-to-one mobile sessions, or group sessions at the client's home.
One-to-one sessions £40 mobile.
Group sessions can be arranged on request.
Gift cards can be purchased for baby shower / new baby gifts.
To book please ring or text on 07565 362420,
or email Hayley@HalcyonHolisticsLeicester.co.uk
From the moment they are born, babies love to be held and touched! After being constantly cradled and massaged within the womb, babies crave the same experience in the outside world. In Frederick Leboyer’s book ‘Loving Hands’ he stated that:
“Being held, touched and caressed is like food to the baby, food as necessary as minerals, vitamins and proteins”
Halcyon Babies works with parents and carers to develop techniques to soothe, relax and strengthen your baby’s muscles, for a therapeutic massage experience for your baby. Combining these techniques with Aromatherapy has double the effect of calming and relaxing your baby.
A series of 5 sessions is advised for parents/carers to learn the movements and routine, so that these can be used between and after visits.
These are some of the wonderful effects and benefits of massaging your baby: -
- Aids communication, development and growth
- Frees joints, and aids flexibility
- Aids food digestion
- Boosts the immune system and circulation
- Connecting and bonding experience
- Cleanses the skin and removes dead skin cells
- Sensory and muscle stimulation
- Can help to combat postnatal depression
- Relaxing for parent and child
- Smooths the transition from the womb to the outside world (particularly beneficial to premature babies
- Gentle and effective option for coping with colic (often encountered in babies younger than 4 months)
Halcyon Babies uses an organic, cold-pressed grapeseed massage oil. This oil is high in linoleic acid, which is from the essential fatty acid Omega 3 family. This nourishes baby’s skin, without the fear of adverse or allergic reactions, and is suitable for sensitive skin. The oil is highly moisturising, lightweight, and easily absorbed.
As babies do not have the ability to communicate verbally, there are stages they go through when accepting new experiences. Halcyon Babies recognises the importance of working through these steps at the baby’s pace:-
- Resistance (not sure/hesitant)
- Tolerance
- Passive (accepting the experience)
- Enjoyment
- Co-operates (fully enjoying the experience)
- Anticipates (excitement on cues)
These are some of the wonderful benefits of aromatherapy for your baby:
- Immune system boosting
- Relaxing for restful sleep
- Helps with teething pain
- Ease colic
- Ease digestive complaints
- Soothe aches, pains, skin irritations or burns
- Helps with symptoms of coughs and colds
- Reduces cradle cap
- Antibacterial to reduce air borne germs
Oils can be used either:-
- Directly onto the skin, diluted with a carrier (oil, cream, lotion),
- As an inhalation, via an aroma diffuser or oil burner,
- In a bath for relaxation,
- As a warm or cold compress applied to sores or rashes.
- Oils should never be taken internally.
Halcyon Babies aftercare advice:-
After the massage, your baby may be hungrier, sleepier, or may wee or poo more. These are entirely normal reactions! Baby may need a drink/feed after, or during the session.
As your baby may be hungrier/thirstier, breastfeeding mummies are advised to drink more water!
Dads and other family members are welcome at our classes!
Hayley Martin 07565 362420
BSc (hons) Psychology
PGCE Primary Education
VTCT level 3 Body Massage
VTCT level 3 Reflexology
VTCT level 3 Aromatherapy
The Guild Certificate in Baby Massage Instruction
FHT Pregnancy Massage
DBS number: 001466432711
Stages of development:
-
Newborn:
- Lack of head control; the baby's head is wobbly as the neck muscles are not strong enough to support the head unaided.
- When lying on the stomach, baby lies with the head turned to one side, with the pelvis high and knees drawn up under the abdomen (curled).
- When pulled to sitting, baby has complete 'head lag'. When half pulled up, baby will raise the head. When sitting, the back is rounded, and baby may lift the chin momentarily.
- Baby follows a moving person with the eyes, and follows a dangling toy held 8 to 12 inches away (baby can only focus this far).
-
2-3 Months:
- At 6 weeks old, baby momentarily holds the head in the same place as the rest of the body.
- At 8 weeks old, the position is maintained; baby moves the head from side to side as he/she visually explores the world. Baby watches the mother intently as she speaks, fixating on her face. Baby begins to smile at her as she speaks to him/her.
- When lying prone (face down), baby momentarily lifts the chin off the couch. The pelvis lowers, and the hip and knees start to extend out, straightening the legs.
- The 'walking reflex' disappears by the age 6 to 8 weeks, where babies automatically 'walk' when held in a standing position.
- Baby holds the head up momentarily when held in a standing position, but sags at the hips and knees.
-
3-4 months:
- Baby's head is held in line with the rest of the body. Baby can lift/hold the chin and shoulders off the couch, with the pelvis lower and the legs fully extended. Baby can soon lift the front part of the chest off the couch, bearing their weight on the forearms.
- Baby will hold an object placed in the hand. Gradually the hands come together as he/she plays or tries to reach for an object. Baby will turn the head to the side when a sound is heard, and the eyes will look in the same direction
-
5-6 months:
- Baby can keep the chest and upper part of abdomen off the couch, maintaining his/her weight on the hands with extended elbows. Baby can roll from from to back.
- When sitting, the baby shows no head lag at all, and will lift the head off the couch when about to be pulled up.
- When in a standing position, baby can almost bear all of his/her weight.
- Baby can grasp an object voluntarily, and watches his/her hands intently (hand regard).
- Baby will play with the toes when lying on his/her back.
- Baby will look up or down on hearing a sound.
-
7-9 months:
- Baby can roll from back to front.
- Baby usually crawls at around 9 months, and usually backwards first .
- Baby can sit without support for a few seconds.
- Baby stands holding onto furniture and can pull him/herself to standing, but cannot let him/herself down without help.
-
9 months plus
- Baby begins to develop the strength and balance for walking.
- Baby learns to stand from seated, and sit from standing.
Spinal development
An important area of development to consider is the development of the spinal curve. The baby in the womb, and when born, has a 'primary C curve' known as the foetal position (curled up).
The first secondary curve in the neck area develops over the first few months as the baby starts to lift his/her head, and the arch of the neck forms.
The second secondary curve is in the lower back and becomes the lumbar curve as the baby begins to crawl. This aids posture, correct positioning of the internal organs, and prepares the body for weight bearing. It is at this time that baby walkers and such aids should be avoided as they create an incorrect spinal curve (known as lumbar kyphosis).
