Ask Pampers baby yoga expert Sam Petter your questions about baby yoga and you could win a £200 John Lewis voucher ANSWERS NOW ON THREAD

[AngelieMumsnet]

This week we're running a Q&A with Pampers baby yoga expert, Sam Petter.

Sam Petter is also the owner and founder of Tatty Bumpkin which she set up in 2004 to provide a creative children's programme inspired by yoga. Tatty Bumpkin is a character at the centre of yoga-inspired movement stories, incorporating music, storytelling and postures inspired by yoga. The award winning classes are delivered nationally, anywhere there are LO’s and parents looking for fun!

Pampers, together with Sam have developed a new, natural baby yoga routine with simple, easy-to-follow stretches that you and your LO can practice at home.

Baby yoga can be practiced safely from 6 weeks old and has many benefits including helping to improve sleep and encouraging movement, so you can enjoy a lovely bonding experience together that’s doing some good too!

Post your questions to Sam here before 18th May and we will send her 20 questions to respond to. We will then post her responses back on the thread on 22nd May.

This Q&A is sponsored by Pampers.

Thanks
MNHQ

Hi, can yoga help with baby's congestion?

Hi
Can yoga help with separated stomach muscles? The post natal check is so lacking. Any advice

Are there precautions or contraindications for babies with certain diagnosis, such as Down Syndrome or other genetic disorders, particularly with low muscle tone?

Is this something you can do with slightly older kids? Mine are 4 and 6.

What time of day do people find it's best to practice? Post nap/waking my DC is too full of beans to relax/comply, sicky after feeds and a bit too ratty before naps. I can never seem to find the right time for regular practice.

Hi everyone, we've had Sam Petter's answers back, and we'll be posting them here shortly :)

@mummybare

I have a 3-year-old and a wriggly, commando crawling 8-month-old. Is there anything I can do that might engage them both at the same time?? (Tall order, I know ??)

Thanks!

From two upwards your little one will be more interested in free play, so you might find it harder to get them to do specific yoga moves. By giving them a task-based activity, which engages them in meaningful play, you can introduce the yoga poses in a more informal way. Get a container, like a bowl or a tray, and place it in the middle of the floor. Cut out some fish shapes together, and go fishing! If you place the cut outs on the floor your three-year-old and 8-month-old can both crawl around and collect them, your 3-year-old could also help your 8-month-old. You may not realise how much this is benefitting your children, but it will help both of them with their physical development – working their core and shoulder stability, hand-eye coordination and awareness of right and left sides of their body.

@Wenglish

What age would you recommend starting baby yoga? Could it work as part of a bedtime routine?

I suggest from 6 weeks, or once your baby has good head control. Most definitely this can work as part of a bedtime routine, but the idea is to do the movements appropriate to the sensory environment. Start by using soft lighting and gentle music, and then ensure your movements are slow and calm, and use a deeper pressure and touch. You could try ‘Star’ from the Pampers Natural Baby Yoga Plan – take a look at the directions, but what you need to remember is to remain slow, calm and relaxed. Hold the poses for as long as your baby’s comfortable, as this will be particularly calming for them.

@kettlepot

Do you need to have done yoga before doing baby yoga? And in the same way you get different levels of adult yoga, can babies/children progress as they become more experienced or do they have to stick to simpler moves? (Worried about boredom but also if more complicated positions would impede development in some way).

Thanks!

Not at all, this is likely to be your first introduction to Baby Yoga, and it’s a fantastic thing that you can start your yoga journey together. Many people are intimidated by the word ‘yoga’, but really it’s just about learning how to move, breathe and relax, to create the best daily health. All your baby needs to get started is a footless outfit and a soft, non-slip surface, like a towel, as well as a stretchy nappy, like Pampers Active Fit. The floor is the best playground for your baby, and you are their best playmate – enjoy your yoga journey!

@Hopezibah

How does baby yoga compare with baby massage? Benefits of one over the other? Can they complement each other if both done? And what age is 'baby' yoga suitable up to i.e. at what stage would it become more kids yoga or adult yoga moves - because of big difference in ability from young baby to older baby / toddler.

Baby Yoga really complements baby massage, but baby massage is better suited to more static babies; once your baby starts to sit-up, crawl and move, Baby Yoga becomes more relevant. Baby Yoga is relevant up to crawling, but from about 18 months babies are more into free-play, so you might find it harder to work through a structured routine. Once your child gets to three years, then it can be easier to engage them again in more complex yoga movements. As your child grows, the yoga positions can become more complex and physically challenging, in line with your child’s development. Your question asks at what stage does it become kids/adult yoga, it really depends on the child’s ability and experience. In our experience it’s around 7 years old, this is when the routines become more in line with traditional yoga practices.

@ButterflyOfFreedom

Hi,

I've never done yoga although have heard lots of good things!
I've just always thought it's not 'active' enough for me and prefer other forms of exercise such as running or tennis.

Would you like to convince me why I should take it up for myself & my DC?

Thanks.

This is a common misconception! Yoga takes a holistic approach to health, and works every muscle in your body, so is a fantastic foundation for all sports. The best approach to health is to be multi-disciplinary, so still run, still play tennis, but yoga will enhance your focus, your flexibility, muscular strength and alignment. These are crucial for injury prevention. Some of the oldest footballers in the premier league are those that practice yoga!

@CopperPan

I am interested in yoga for my toddler as I've done yoga classes as an adult but I'm worried she wouldn't stay still long enough to pay attention! How are classes adapted for a toddler and what happens when they get bored after five minutes and want to get some toys out?

With young children and toddlers, their attention span can be short so the approach that you need to keep them engaged is very different to working with older children. There are a number of different ways to deal with this, but firstly don’t feel disappointed if it doesn’t work perfectly the first time; sometimes it’s just about timing! At Tatty Bumpkin we use a multi-sensory approach, and this has informed the Natural Baby Yoga Plan we’ve developed with Pampers. In essence, this means using sensory props, like texture and music, to help maintain interest and motivation, and help you to tell a story with your movements. Looking at the Pampers Natural Baby Yoga Plan – you can take each move a step forward by bringing in props to enhance them. For example, you could use a fur texture to enhance the moves ‘Cat’ and ‘Dog’, blue fabric for the sea for ‘Fish’, or you could sing ‘twinkle twinkle’ while you’re trying ‘Star.’ If you’re still having trouble, you could try putting the move into a task – but equally remember that it could simply be the wrong time. Try again when you feel your baby’s feeling more receptive, communication is key, and never force movements.

@griselda101

where and when did baby yoga originate? it sounds quite new but am interested to know about its origins.

A company called Birthlight pioneered what is now known as ‘Baby Yoga’ as an inclusive set of practices to enhance playful interaction and communication between parent and baby, and to promote their healthy development!

Can baby yoga help unwell babies or babies with birth trauma?

@StickChildNumberTwo

Would I be able to do baby yoga myself if I can't find a class locally, or do I need instruction to make sure I do it properly?

The Pampers Natural Baby Yoga Plan has been developed with a qualified Baby Yoga instructor, me, so is therefore absolutely safe to practice at home. Of course, if you feel a little nervous about doing Baby Yoga for the first time then why not enrol in a local class to gain confidence. However, if your baby is healthy, and there are no known issues which could affect their enjoyment, and you feel comfortable to do it on your own, then you should feel empowered to go ahead! If you feel ready to try it then you should know that it’s really safe and easy to do in the comfort of your own home. All you need is a warm, safe, calm environment, you’ll need to put a non-slip towel on the floor, and your baby should be wearing a footless outfit as well as a comfortable, stretchy nappy, such as Pampers Active Fit - they have stretchier sides than ordinary nappies so your baby will be free to move.

@TooManyNames

Hiya,

Can you tell us the other benefits of baby yoga? I see you mention it helps with sleep, but can it help with colic/trapped wind.

Also can it help babies develop muscles to sit up, support their heads, walk/crawl etc.? Do you have to do it regularly to get full benefit? How often is good?

Thanks!!

Yes, absolutely! Baby Yoga is great for helping babies to develop their natural ‘postural control’. Postural control provides the background for all our movements and helps us to maintain a good posture up against gravity whether we are lying, sitting or standing. We would advise you to do Baby Yoga on a regular basis with your baby i.e. once a day – but do remember for your baby to experience the full benefits they have to be comfortable, so don’t force it on your baby or put pressure on yourself – some days are for cuddles!

@keentobemeagain

How often would you recommend doing yoga with DC? I often see Baby Yoga classes advertised but it tends to focus on newborns but is it something we can build on from 6 weeks old through toddlerhood, childhood and beyond? Like healthy eating, I'd like to build it into our lifestyle from early on. And I'd also like to incorporate some exercises for me into proceedings!

Definitely! You can start at any time – the younger your baby or child starts their ‘yoga’ the more likely it is to become a lifestyle choice that they take with them to later life. Depending on your own yoga experience, this is definitely something you can explore together. If you can’t find a formal class near you, you can download the Pampers Natural Baby Yoga Plan and how-to and videos to practice at home, but really just think about the range of movement and sensory experiences your child is getting from any activity. For you, get on the mat and join in, do the movements with your childand not only will this help you understand how your child is feeling it will get- you active too. Encourage the joy of movement, the stretches and movement that you fit in can help you find an inner calm.

@kittyvet

What are your top 3 asanas for baby? What benefits do they bring?

My top three asanas [positions] are ‘Cycling’, ‘Relax’ and ‘Star’. The Star opens out and stretches the body, Cycling works to stimulate the digestive system, and Relax is just a great way to promote bonding – you can find all of these moves in the Pampers Natural Baby Yoga Plan.

@odi1

My one year loves to move around and manages to get into some wonderful positions but she also can get very overstimulated and hard to settle at bedtime. Can yoga help to create a calmer bedtime, if so what would you recommend?

This is an excellent observation from you as a parent, recognising your baby’s ‘state of alertness’ and how to calm, or stimulate, accordingly is a vital skill. I think understanding how Baby Yoga can help with communication will be really valuable. To create a calmer bedtime I would recommend doing movements appropriate to the sensory environment. As I’ve mentioned above, you could use soft lighting and gentle music, and then ensure your movements are slow and calm, and use a deeper pressure and touch. Try the move ‘Star’ from the Pampers Natural Baby Yoga Plan – take a look at the directions, but all you need to remember is to remain slow and relaxed. Hold the poses for as long as your baby’s comfortable, as this will be particularly calming for them. Breathing is another good way to communicate rest with your baby – the calmer you are, the calmer your baby will feel.

@kierie

Hi, can yoga help with baby's congestion?

Firstly, if you mean digestive congestion, then absolutely. The ‘Cycling’ move can help with constipation because the path of digestion is clockwise - from your baby’s right hand side, underneath the belly-button, and down their left-side. By gently working your baby’s right leg into their abdomen, and applying gentle pressure, you can help to get any blockages moving. Follow up with their left leg. If your baby’s very sensitive, due to the congestion, then you can gently use your hand in a soothing, clockwise motion. If your baby’s congested in their chest, then lying on their stomach is a good basis for any of your moves. Without seeing your baby it’s hard to know, so I would advise that you talk to your local GP for direction. If your GP has said it’s ok then I would recommend the the move ‘Dog’. Your baby will be on their stomach, so it will stimulate deep breathing, and it’s a slight inversion, which can be very helpful when trying to clear congestion.

@Bighairdontcare

How many times a week do you recommend doing baby yoga? We've just started going to a class near us, but would like to give it a go at home too.

Once a day is absolutely fine, or little and often. If you’re both enjoying it then there’s no reason not to do it daily, but for small babies remember that it’s a big work out. In an hour it’s as much activity as they would usually get in a full day!

@CheeseEMouse

My son is nearly 3 weeks old and a fairly calm baby. I am considering doing baby yoga with him when he's big enough - is there a best time of day to try it with him? Or is it best incorporated into a routine?

I'd also be keen to hear about anything restorative for me that I could do at the same time? I'd forgotten how tiring a newborn is!

The best time of day is when your baby is alert and receptive; usually this corresponds to when they’ve slept, have been fed and changed. External factors will also have an impact, so familiar, warm, comfortable surroundings, and you in a relaxed frame of mind with time to spare are important. This can change from day to day, so just read your baby’s signals and follow their lead. If you’re familiar with Baby Yoga then it can act as a great distraction and way to calm your baby when conditions are less than perfect! Also, don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t go as planned the first time – sometimes it’s simply a timing thing!

Thanks to everyone who asked a question! The winner of the prize draw is AvaAmulet - congratulations! We'll PM you for your details shortly :)

Thrilled, thank you! New dishwasher here I come! x

What injuries are associated with baby yoga? Is it safe?