Nurture Baby Massage
About the Classes
I am passionate about supporting women during the postnatal period, which is traditionally a time when we were supported by ‘the village’ - a community of women around us, such as grandmothers, aunts, friends and neighbours. In today’s society, women tend to be left home alone with their baby while their partner goes out to work. Without this community and support, we are suffering: More and more women have postnatal depression and suffer feelings of guilt, self-loathing and disappointment that they cannot fulfill their role like other mothers. The myth that women are supposed to raise a baby single-handed is one we wish to dispel. That’s what Nurture classes are all about.
After the birth, you will have a lot of recuperating to do. Your body, mind and hormones have been working hard and there is a high chance that you will be completely exhausted. NURTURE can help balance those hormonal levels and allow you to relax deeply during a period when sleep, rest and free time are low.
Our Nurture classes are about nurturing mummy AND baby, with a unique blend of YogaBellies therapies that you can start immediately after birth. We work through a complete baby massage course, placing importance on caring for, bonding and communicating with your baby; learning massage techniques to soothe and offer relief. It also becomes a safe-place to have postnatal discussions that focus on looking after mummy (mind, body and soul after birth). These can include: caring for mum after birth; rocking your beautiful new body; mental and emotional wellbeing; sleep for mum & baby; and mama's physical well-being. If we have time, there is the opportunity for self-mama massage and guided relaxation for mummy.
Each class lasts 60 minutes, and it is a safe, judgement-free space. You can feed, change nappies, pace... do anything and everything that suits you and your bundle of joy. I certainly don't expect the babies in class to be perfectly still or quiet - babies cry, babies get tired and hungry. We are all mummies (I have 3 children of my own) so please don't worry about anything, and it is fine if they fall asleep for the whole class too.
Benefits of baby massage include: smoothes transition from womb to the world; develops baby’s first language: touch; teaches positive loving touch; develops a feeling of being loved, respected and secure; develops body, mind, awareness and coordination; can help to reduce the discomfort of colic, wind and constipation; helps to regulate and strengthen baby’s digestive and respiratory systems and stimulates circulatory and nervous systems; promotes relaxation; can help to reduce fussiness and improve quality of sleep; and improves skin condition.
Benefits for mummy include: helps parents to understand baby’s non-verbal communication; enhances parent’s confidence and competence in dealing with baby; can help with postnatal depression; both mummy and baby relax together; promotes lactation in breastfeeding mums (through stimulation of hormones); and promotes the nurturing instinct (through the stimulation of the hormone, oxytocin).
Location and when to start
Nurture Baby Massage classes are suitable from newborn until baby is mobile. I find that mummies tend to find the classes most beneficial in the early months, and then follow the course with Yoga for Mum & Baby.
I run Nurture by YogaBellies on Wednesdays at 12.00-13.00 in Wendover.
Wendover Memorial Hall
Wharf Road
Wendover
Buckinghamshire
HP22 6HF
There is parking at the hall; if this is full, there is plenty of nearby on-road parking on Wharf Road.
Price and booking options
The classes are booked in six week blocks, and cost £69 (which includes £13.50 of products for mum AND baby). The classes are rolling so you can start any week that suits you and baby.
Upon signing up to a block of classes for the first time, you will also receive a goodie bag at your first in-person class, which includes a Take Five Aromatherapy Recover & Rest with Botanicals & Zest rollerball RRP £6.00. This blend supports rest and recovery, at a time when you need it the most; it aims to balance the mind and rejuvenate with Neroli, uplift and energise with Lemon, and relax your muscles and mind with healing Lavender.
(Pulse Point Rollerballs - Take Five Aromatherapy)
To book, please complete the following booking form; full payment will be taken at the same time.
https://YogaWithAliceD.as.me/nurture
TIPS ON BOOKING
To complete the form, please select the first date and time you wish to start, then ‘select and make recurring’ to add 6 weeks. If the class is full, or there is no class a certain week, the date will show as unavailable. In this case, please add appointments until you have the 6 dates to make sure you are attending a full block. This system also allows you to remove dates you can’t make because of your own commitments.
My day-time classes are school term-time only. In 2023 there are no classes on: 4 Jan, 15 Feb, 5 Apr, 12 Apr, 31 May, 19 Jul - 30 Aug inclusive, 25 Oct, 20 Dec, 27 Dec.
I will provide all equipment (baby massage mats, blankets, pillows) for you to use at your own discretion. Please bring milk and any favourite comforters or toys to help baby feel happy and relaxed. You may wish to also bring a towel to place on the baby massage mat so it is more comfortable for baby and either another towel or blanket to place on baby for the areas of their body which are not being massaged to keep them warm. You are welcome to perform a dry massage to baby over clothes, or use the oil provided on the skin directly.