Blossom and Berry for a colic cure and a good nights sleep
After experiencing the benefits of baby massage with her own child, Gayle soon found herself retraining to become a baby massage instructor.
Since those early days, Gayle has gone on to become an expert in various holistic baby-soothing techniques, and has even had a book published.
We asked her for some advice on how massage can soothe away some everyday problems.
Few parents manage to totally escape the horror of baby colic but during that time you and your baby can learn some massaging techniques to deal with it.
Gayle says: “The exact causes of colic are not known but one theory is that it may by due to excessive wind and a build up of air bubbles in a baby’s tummy.
“Baby massage is a useful technique for easing colic because it helps to move air bubbles trapped in the intestines so that baby can feel relief from the pain of trapped wind.
“It also tones the digestive tract and increases the communication between the nerve endings in the gut and the brain helping baby to digest food more efficiently.
“Also babies with colic often feel very distressed and any form of touch can help to soothe, calm and comfort.”
If you think you have left baby massage too late then worry not. Don’t be put off by its name.
Gayle says: “Older children can benefit from a daily massage. Massage releases lots of feel good hormones in the body, which can help to promote sleep and a healthy appetite.
“Massage also provides a special time with your child and can easily be combined with stories, songs and rhymes to make it fun and relaxing. It is a great way to communicate to a child that they are loved and helps to promote a sense of postive touch.
“Massage can also help with developing muscle tone and helping ease “growing pains” commonly felt in the legs by young children.”
If you and your toddler are both suffering the stressful fall out of the terrible toddling years, then baby massage may be a great way of soothing away their frustrations.
Gayle says: “Children of two or three have to go through the “terrible twos” to some extent for their development and understanding of emotions but massage can help the experience be a little easier to cope with. Often a cuddle or touch can soothe a small child who may feel their emotions are out of control.
“Tantrums are hard to deal with and anything that takes the stress out of the situation should be welcomed. Massage will get those feel good hormones flowing in both parent and child and reduce any negative effects of too much adrenaline in the body caused by stress. Also everyone loves a cuddle and so one to one TLC! Touch can reassure much more than simple language. The tantrums will pass!”
We thought we would try some baby, and toddler massage with some of Blossom & Berry’s very own organic oils.
Our biggest problem was getting a tetchy toddler to sleep. Not even just to sleep but anywhere near a state of unconsciousness. For this Chopsy Baby recommends the Night Night Bedtime Oil.
This is suitable for babies over the age of 12 months. It contains organic lavender, wild Roman chamomile, sweet almond, rosehip seed and jojoba oils. This oil is designed to relax, soothe and settle little ones at bedtime.
Our tricky one year old was as slippery as an eel, and that was before we even managed to slap some oil on them. We managed to vaguely massage in some oil with Fireman Sam as a distraction. It wasn’t quite the relaxing experience we wanted but the stunning effect of the oil was that the child actually slept right through the night.
If your child won’t submit to massage, then a few drops of this added to the nightly bath is an alternative.
The oil smells and feels amazing and the bottle has been passed from parent to parent who have all found that by using it on themselves the oil helps them to get to sleep much easier as well.
For general children’s massage then give the Magical Massage Oil a try. It is a really gentle formula with no strong aromas and at the end of a long day your tiny terror may enjoy having tired limbs massaged and relaxed as much as an adult.
Blossom & Berry is expanding its teaching network throughout the UK. If you would like your own business running baby massage and yoga classes in your area then contact: gayle@blossomandberry.com
Night Night Bedtime Oil £3.95
Magic Massage Oil for Children £3.75
Baby Massage-Expert Know-how at your fingertips by Gayle Berry and Bo Lundburg £6.99
