Baby Massage

Classes for Baby Number 2 

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I wasn’t sure I’d go full hog on the baby classses for baba number 2 but when it came to it, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for some one on one time that becomes such a rarity with the second child. 

We did both our classes with Little Lotus. Baby Massage and Baby Yoga. Here’s a little about both below if you are looking into doing some yourself! 


{Baby Massage}

This class is run over about an hour but the massage part is over a 30 minute period. This particular class was done so nicely. When we arrived there was a mat, super soft pillow and little printed name card for each baby. We all circled a big patchwork quilt and with plenty of time to chill we got started. Each week we worked on different areas of the babies in the lovely warm room. The whole class is baby led so stopping for feeds, cuddles etc is all encouraged and you feel completely at ease. It just happened all but one were all second time mums so we had lots to chat about. Our chats were made all the nicer by a range of yummy bikkies and a hot cup of tea made by the lovely Jennie. The best part about it was aguaranteed  good sleep by Max after the class so some down time for mama or at least time to get the dinner on! 😉


{Baby Yoga}

I joined this class half way through the term but I really wanted to take part as there were a few members of my baby massage class, I had loved that so much and I also knew with all the actions/songs involved in baby yoga that Max would just love it and I wasn’t wrong! The class takes a similar format to the baby massage but is a bit more action filled. There is good stretching and movement for mama and song brilliant songs and swinging for baba when Max just squealed with delight. The session is finished by lying with your baby to a lovely uplifting song and along with Max’s gigggles this was probably my favourite part of this class, chilling and reflecting with my littlest man.

I hope to also do some of these in the coming months as they were something I really enjoyed with Josh. NGI Baby Class, Messy Monkeys & a few more Baby Cinema sessions before he’s on the move! 

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Baby Massage

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I had mentioned in a previous post that we started baby massage well this week was our last. Our course was with Rachel of MyWellBeing.ie and is based in Dame St. It can be a little bit of a trek on the wetter of days but well worth it once we arrive. This class I find is more a bond with baby than a social time with other mums as you are so ensconced in the little one in front of you.
It really is a lovely one and one time with Josh and I find it quite emotional at times having time to reflect on how special he is and how truly lucky we are. Sometimes you are running around so much that these moments are golden.
Each class starts with a introduction around the room as well as a new ‘topic’ every week, for instance last week was favourite body part, mine is his hands and his eyelashes. Then we start with some stretches for mum and a little baby yoga before starting on the massage. We focus on a new area each week also going back on the areas we have already learnt.
I did wonder how we could stretch what is essentially one technique over 5 classes which is also fully explained in a handout but I was wrong. As I mentioned above it is mostly about he bonding with baby and Josh absolutely loves it and gurgles his way through the hour that goes by in a flash! I do try and do a daily routine of a little morning yoga and afternoon massage as he loves it so much.

The class is baby led so feeding, nappy changing etc is all part and parcel. There had been a couple of requests for partners to attend as a granny had popped in on our first class, I thought this was a lovely idea and my husband was going to try come in on a future day off. However someone had stated they did not feel comfortable feeding in front of other dad’s. I suppose this is fair enough but I did feel it was a little discriminatory as I believe all these experiences should be shared if you are in a position to do so. My own mum was a single parent and I know how much she would have loved to experience all these types of things with my dad. I also feel it is unfortunate that people still feel uncomfortable feeding ‘publicly’, I did too at the beginning but in this country there is still some way to go it seems before feeding by breast becomes the norm!

Anyway as I ramble on I will finish with saying that I would recommend Baby Massage as one of your chosen activities when you are choosing from the abundance that you can do! As previously mentioned check out your Health Insurance and of course MyWellBeing.ie too.

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3 months-Where’s my baby gone?

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I think 3 months is a very significant milestone. It is why I said in a previous post that I chose this time to launch my blog. Well I am now writing in real time about all that lies ahead. This may sound strange but it was at this stage I really started to feel like a mama and not just like I was playing mummy & daddies and that was both overwhelming but very lovely at the same time.

We had our 3 month check the very day he turned 3 months. You know as an instinct that your baby is happy, healthy and progressing but you have this niggling feeling of worry so the check up gives your baby the once over and your public health nurse is there to answer any questions. It actually wasn’t as extensive as I thought and felt a little rushed but she seemed happy except for a slightly flat head-{-1 to mama} but his growth and reactions were all good as I willed him on.

However I got another bout of this flu thing and was completely floored this time with weepiness, self doubt and mama guilt off the richter scale and I felt I’d reached the end of the road so back to the doctor it was and I was told to ‘rest’ and was put on breastfeeding friendly antibiotics. My wonderful mum took Josh for several hours for 2 of the days with bottles in tow and with the help of hubby too I finally kicked it, 6 weeks later!

As for Josh, he is just going from strength to strength. His ‘routine’ seems to be forming and the night sleep is dragging out, we get from about 12-5/6 so we are thankful for that. He took the transition of moses to crib well and he also now sleeps in a growbag which he loves! His drooling is like the iguazu falls so we are thinking toothies might follow soon. Eek! I really feel his little personality is starting to form too, while he is still predominantly a placid little boy, he is also determined and tells you now when he is not happy about something but generally cries are kept for hunger, nappy and more recently boredom! One thing was his poos slowed down a bit at this stage, going from 4/5 to 2, 1 or none a day! It’s amazing how you can now wish for things like poos and are as pleased as punch once one comes along.

At this stage we took the big leap of a night away without baba to Carton House. Off he went to Granny’s with lists, blankets, bottles and a little trepidation from mum & dad! However despite me failing to bring my pump and my boobs heavy and the size of Jordan’s it was a much needed r&r time. It was very important for myself and my husband to get some time together too as it can feel like you just go through the motions daily and really don’t get proper time to touch base and check in with how each of you are so a night of one on one was fab! Baby naturally becomes priority but it is so important to be mindful of your relationship too.

We went on his first swim this month and also started baby massage as well as attending a super baby festival called Baby Talk which are all discussed at length in other posts on the blog.

Heading towards 4 months it seems what they say is true, time flies by so every day I just take a moment to breathe in the little miracle that he is.

Classes-Trial & Error

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I love getting out and about with Josh so in the last few weeks we have tried a few classes.

We had done a private yoga/massage session with my friend and pre natal teacher when I/we were 6 weeks postpartum but she was then travelling to Asia and I also wanted to get into a weekly routine so started investigating my options.

First up was a baby yoga class that the teacher didn’t bother to turn up to, frustrating when we had trekked all the way to the class. Needless to say I then wanted to look for an alternative teacher!

Next up was a ClapHandies trial Playlabs. The organisation of this class and the concept was great. You go through a set routine which alters slightly each week. It focuses on developmental elements for baby and lots of interaction, signing and movement was the aim of the game. I don’t know exactly what it was about it but it just wasn’t for me but I would certainly recommend a trial and if you have a Mothercare family card there is a great offer for a trial at over half price on now!
http://www.claphandies.com/playlabs

Last week we started Baby Massage with Rachel Gaffey of MyWellBeing,
I had learned a few techniques in the early days but from the first class this looks like it is going to be extensive and Rachel has a real passion for her teachings and it shows. The class is well set up and easy to follow. She makes all the babies and mums/dads feel very comfortable and I am looking forward to the next one this week! Baby boy slept for 3 hours after the last one so I’ll hopefully be napping too this Wednesday afternoon! Baby Massage is also refundable on some health insurance policies so check yours out!

www.mywellbeing.ie
www.PregnancyClasses.ie

I hope to start Baby Yoga with Rachel next term but at the moment she is so good and well regarded her classes are full so fingers crossed.

This Friday we are bringing Josh for his first swim so I’ll let you know how that goes-we can’t wait! I am also signed up to a first aid seminar so will fill you in on that too.