My Tinies classes are a brilliant first class to join with your new baby. We include lots of calming and soothing techniques and build up a full body massage routine all of which is just perfect for a newish baby.
But when to start? Well I usually say from around 6 weeks but everyone is different and it is very much a guide. If you and your baby are ready to be out and about earlier than 6 weeks then you are very welcome to come and join us. If your recovery from birth is taking a little longer and you don’t feel able to get up and down from the floor maybe you need a few more weeks to enjoy the class.
For some new mums there can be some anxiety over getting out with a newborn. You might still be getting to grips with feeding or worrying about what you will do if your baby cries or does a huge poo in the middle of the class. You might feel things are all a bit unpredictable and you don’t know when your baby will be awake or need a feed.
You could also be feeling very conscious of the fact that you don’t always get chance to shower or brush your hair!
6 weeks is the guide because for lots of people they will be feeling fairly well recovered from birth and settling a little more into life with their baby. I don’t go younger in the guide because I don’t want anyone to feel like they ‘should’ be out and in a class already. If you’re 5 weeks in and enjoying your bubble with your baby then stick with it, there will be plenty of things to go out and enjoy when you are ready.
There are a few considerations for anyone coming to classes with a baby under a couple of months and that is the fact that they are still really unpredictable. If your baby wants to sleep or feed or just needs to be in your arms there really isn’t anything you can do about it and in the first couple of months they spend a lot of time sleeping and feeding!
Luckily Tinies has you covered! The class is really quite repetitive so if you miss something one week because you were feeding you will catch up next week, or you could try it at home later. And so many times I have had mums spend the entire class with a sleeping baby and actually they don’t really mind. They got out, had a chat with other lovely mums, their baby enjoyed a good nap and they have lots of new ideas of things they can try at home.
Classes for babies at this age are also very much about you. The fact you are out and seeing other people is important. I always check in with everyone and there is always time built in for conversations and questions because for new mums that is so needed (we also include some gentle postnatal stretches, core and pelvic floor work).
So if your question is about when to join a baby massage class the answer would be when you and your baby are ready. But do look into the class to check it is baby led, you can dip in and out as you need to and that there are lots of things to benefit you both because your baby’s needs at this age are mainly you!
If your question is when can you start doing some massage at home the answer would still be when you are both ready but in reality this will be much earlier. You don’t have to get out, get dressed or be there at a specific time. You can massage your baby any time from birth with gentle strokes to help you bond, connect and uncurl their little body. Choose a time your baby is awake and content and enjoy getting to know each other better with massage. Don’t worry about getting it ‘right’ just see what feels natural to you both. If your massage time only lasts a few minutes don’t worry. Over the course of my term I build up to a full body massage that lasts max 15 minutes. If you start with a few minutes on their legs or arms you are doing great and you will both really benefit from that time.
Find out more about Tinies classes here
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