Posts Tagged ‘baby massage’
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
Sometimes when I give a massage, it can be a magical experience. When I know I’ve made my clients feel less pain, they come out smiling or it just feels great.
My favourite thing to happen is when massaging a pregnant belly, is for the bubs inside to move around underneath and chase my hands. It’s amazing. It’s like they want a massage too. More soothing strokes. More comforting. Maybe this is the why bub’s respond so well to baby massage after they’ve been born.
Yesterday, I had a beautiful client and her bub was chasing my hands, so much, the bub was pushing up against my hands. Love it. It really is the biggest buzz.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, massage, pregnancy massage
Posted in Uncategorized, massage, time out | No Comments »
Friday, March 5th, 2010
In every parenting journal, magazine, book, website and blog, you get hit with a whole bunch of information that may or may not fit your particular style of parenting or child. We also hear “every child is different” in the same article telling you to do what they say. That’s all well and good, but they’re not the ones up with your child at 3am, covered in puke and going deaf from screaming. I can distinctly remember through the PND haze being told to rock and hold my baby til they went to sleep and then keep holding them. Awesome. Little miss slept but when did I get to sleep? Then the next day being told I’ve made a rod for my back because little miss needs to learn to self settle. Great. Did they offer to come clean up the vomit after Little Miss had cried until she spewed? No. I did.
So for the sake of my sanity, Little miss was breastfed to sleep initially and eventually just cuddled. She still gets a cuddle to sleep. I’ve also had the guilt’s about this until something was mentioned by a friend. She was telling me about her niece and how because of her strong personality and curiosity, won’t sleep. She doesn’t want to miss out on anything. This description was almost a perfect match to Little Miss. Even the health nurses said when Little Miss was tiny, that she was an aware baby.
So with my story said, I’ll say this. Do what feels right for you and gets what you need.
Now on with other news. I had a day of time out. Another essential service for mums that is lacking. Real exciting stuff. I got my hair cut, purchased red shoes and had a photo shoot complete with hair and make up. I’ve also got a massage instead of just giving them and I was way overdue for it.
So in the interest of sanity and time out, I’m going to tell you about an event in may. It’s the Mum’s Night Out brought to you by real mums. See the website www.mumsnightout.com.au to find out more about it and book your tickets. I’m going and I can’t wait.
See you there.
Em.
Tags: advice, baby massage, crying, depression, time out
Posted in depression, family, massage, time out | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010
Today I revisited a book that makes me cry. Not sad cry exactly. More from being moved and it’s not exactly a book you would expect that kind of reaction.
It’s “Australia Unbuttoned” by Kerry Cue. It sub title is “Australia’s culture exposed”.
Why does it make me cry I hear you ask. Well, the first time I read the book was just after my grandfather passed away. The book looks at different rituals and traditions in Australia including death and funerals. That’s the first reason it makes me cry. The second is the chapter on new life and birth. There are some examples of baby blessings that are beautiful and it reminded me of just how disappointed I was at Little Miss’s baptism. So as a starting point for my investigation into traditions surrounding birth, this was a good start.
There’s also a very interesting insight into other celebrations and rituals. Including the habit of not RSVPing.
Worth the read.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, books, crying, little miss, rituals, traditions
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Thursday, January 28th, 2010
Recently I sent out my new business cards, some services cards and a letter of introduction to the local health providers. I figured I had nothing to lose. Well it’s been two days since I sent them out and I’ve already had two responses and I was most surprised by it being positive. Yay! Hand Print Massage is GO!
I’ve also been rebooked for the Cairnlea Community Hub baby massage classes again in Feb. I love these classes, just seeing the change in resposes by the bub to mum massaging. It’s warm fuzzy stuff really. It’s also a fabulous way for mums to bond with their babies. Eventually, they will ask for massages, just like my little miss does.
I started looking into the effects of massage on depression (a subject very close to my heart) and there are some interesting studies. When I get my head around the jargon I’ll let you know the results. So far it’s mostly positive.
So until next time.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, business, business cards, depression, little miss, massage, work
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
A client recently asked an important question and I thought I would share it here as I’m asked it quite often.
“How often should I have a massage whilst pregnant?” My simple answer is as often as you like. The more complicated answer is this.
First Trimester: With approval of your health care provider, a massage once a month is great. This is all depending on morning sickness and general wellness during this time. If you have any reservations, discuss them with your midwife/obstetrician first.
Second Trimester: Every two weeks. This is the time where you’re usually feeling better, starting to feel pregnant and starting to get the early twinges and aches as this is when you start to show and your posture changes to counter the extra size and weight of your belly. Having a regular massage is a great way to counteract these. An added benefit is you sleep better as well.
Third Trimester: Weekly massages. By now your posture has changed and you might have started to “waddle”. Your feet may have swollen and your lower back may be very uncomfortable. The weight of the uterus may be putting pressure on your sciatic nerve as well. You might even just want a bit of TLC and to get out of the house. Massaging at this stage will help to relieve the tight muscles and ease some of the discomfort. The regular rhythmic motion of the massage can also help settle the wiggling baby so you can get more rest.
Post Birth: With clearance of your health care provider you can have a massage as soon as the day after the birth of your baby. This also depends on how comfortable you feel and if there were any complications arising from the birth. Having a massage post birth will help your body recover from the stresses of labour and help with the new postures of baby care. You may also like to take this time to learn basic baby massage. As to the frequency, it’s entirely up to you.
I hope this helps answer this question.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, frequency of massage, post natal massage, pregnancy massage
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
You may have noticed it’s been a few days since my last post. Well, I managed to drop my laptop on it’s power connection and it’s off being repaired. OOPS.
Using hubby’s computer in the mean time…
Been an interesting week since the last post. Between my family visiting and the last of the baby massage classes for the year, time seems to be slipping away.
On the weekend I braved the kitchen and made gingerbread and fruitcake. The shortbread is made up, it just needs to be rolled out and baked. We’ll see how that turns out.
In the massage world, starting to have a bit of a look at a new piece of equipment. It’s so I can massage pregnant mums face down. From all accounts, it’s fantastic. Will keep you posted. I’m also reading up on massage for fertility and it’s effects. The obvious one is stress relief but surely there are other benefits too.
Just a little reminder of package names. Please post your ideas. Someone has suggested Well Kneaded Time Out which is appealing. Keep them coming.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, cooking, fertility massage, laptop, package names, pregnancy massage equipment
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Monday, December 7th, 2009
Today I’ve been busy.
This morning I took the third class of the baby massage workshop. The babies are all starting to move around and be fairly animated. Last class is next week and I think I’ll miss them.
Something I read this morning has tweaked my interest. Amity Dry, on www.essentialbaby.com.au, wrote in her blog post about having trouble conceiving and how stress/over thinking about it can make it more difficult. This is the perfect reason to have massages whilst trying to get pregnant. Massage is one of the best ways to help you relax and gives you some pampering as well.
Today I’ve also had many calls about gift vouchers as Christmas gifts. Looking forward to meeting the bearers in the new year.
Sadly, the Christmas tree is still not up. Tomorrow night is going to be the night. Look out for the photos.
More soon.
Em.
Tags: baby massage, christmas, christmas tree, fertility massage, gift vouchers, stress
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
The title of this posting is a Teddy Roosevelt quote and I’ve adopted it as my motto.
In considering this, I’ve realised I have much more than I thought, have skills I’ve forgotten, and can readily use them where I am. Also I don’t go out and spend money and waste time on more “stuff”.
So I’m dusting off the 20 plus years of music study, my keyboard and considering making Little Miss a lullabye CD all of her own. Plus maybe some relaxation music for the clinic. See those three years of uni might just pay off after all. (BTW, I studied music as uni. Scary isn’t it.) Maybe I should make up some CDs for christmas gifts too while I’m at it….
I’ll keep you posted.
EM.
Tags: baby massage, business, christmas, little miss, massage, music, quotes, work
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Hello.
I’m Emma. I’m Hand Print Massage.
Today I decided it was a day of action. I decided it was time to actually get organised and start blogging my musings about my world, not just massage.
What you will not read on here is who my clients are or their medical conditions. I might discuss what I’ve seen come through my clinic regularly but nothing specific. (This is to protect my clients personal and health information and to protect me as well.)
Anyway. Here’s some info on me.
I started Hand Print Massage in it’s first incantation in 2004 when I was still studying. I was giving very basic relaxation massages to friends and family. This was the case until I graduated with a diploma of remedial massage at the end of 2006. I had just landed a job with a footy team and was about to set up in business when I discovered I was pregnant. Oops. That wasn’t planned. So I had to turn down the job with the footballers and put my business on hold for a bit. Ah well. Then one day whilst in the shower (all the best ideas seem to come there) I realised there weren’t many massage therapists in my area who specialised in pregnancy, post natal or infant massage. Infact whilst I was pregnant, I drove an hour for massages. Later that same day, I decided to take a walk through the local shopping centre. Every third woman who walked past me was pregnant or had just had a baby. So Hand Print Massage for Mums was born.
A year later I’m still in business (YAY!!!) and I’ve met some wonderful women and babies. Looking forward to meeting more.
Other info. I have a little girl who is 2. I have two dogs. I’m a PND survivor. I’m passionate about learning cultural influences around pregnancy and motherhood. I love chocolate and I don’t drink.
I’ll write more again soon.
EM.
Hand Print Massage
Tags: advice, baby massage, business, depression, Hubby, injuries, labour, little miss, massage, plans, post natal massage, pregnancy massage, rituals, support, traditions, work
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