Simple Arm Sequence

Here are the pictures accompanying the simple arm sequence for the rhyme OPEN-SHUT THEM in the Good Morning Sequence. I usually perform this sequence after bb Gloria's morning bath and take a chance to wipe her armpits dry, when her arms are stretched out wide! I also sing a slow rhyme to accompany the actions - the words of the rhyme are in CAPITALS.

Benefits of this sequence:
Helps babies to open their chest, expand their lungs and encourage deeper breathing. Newborn babies are naturally quite closed in their upper body, as they have been curled tightly in the womb. This simple sequence will help to uncurl their upper body.

Babies who have been resisting upper body massage or dislike stretching their arms out will benefit from this especially. Most babies love the little cuddle at the end of the rhyme and you may see them relaxing their arms more, after a few days of practice.

"OPEN" - Open your baby's arms out wide to the sides. Do not force any of the movements. Gently stretch your baby's arms out as much as she allows, without tension.



"SHUT THEM" - Bring your baby's hands to the centre (chest).






"DON"T GET IN A MUDDLE" - roll your baby's hands in a circle (picture not shown).

Repeat "OPEN-SHUT THEM".











"GIVE YOURSELF A CUDDLE" - Cross your baby's arms on her chest and enjoy a close cuddle together, while gently rocking side to side.

Hip Sequences - Part 1

Benefits

The hip sequence involves bending and stretching your baby's legs. The movements are adapted from the core of Hatha yoga, which aims to open the hip and knee joints, to help tone the deeper muscles around the base of the spine.

The 3 movements below are easy and acceptable to most babies. The alternating pressure and release movements helps to massage your baby's intestines, hence improving digestion and relieving constipation.

Starting position:
Hold your baby's thighs loosely, with your fingers resting on top of her thighs and your thumbs on the underside of her thighs.

Knees to Chest:
Slowly lift your baby's knees up towards her chest. Bring her thighs firmly towards her abdomen. Hold for 3 to 10 seconds. Release and repeat 2-3 times, adjusting the pressure to suit your baby. Stop if your baby is not happy.

Knees from Side to Side:
Keeping your hands in the same position, move your baby's legs to the left and then to the right. Press firmly on each side of her abdomen, taking time to release the pressure before changing sides.

Hip Rolls (Round and Round)
Keeping your hands in the same position, roll your baby's legs in a circle to the left and then to the right, as close to your baby's body as possible. Start with a small movement for younger babies and make the movement bigger as your baby gets used to it.
* To promote baby's digestion and bowel movement, you may want to focus on circling your baby's thighs clockwise to follow the direction of the gut.

Songs:
Sing your favourite song to accompany the movements, watching all the while to see if your baby is enjoying the movement. I sing a simple "If you are happy, and you know it, bend your knees" etc to accompany the 3 movements above.




Baby Gloria enjoying her hip sequence at her playmat.

Tummy Time with Rolling

Current research suggests that babies should be put to sleep on their backs to avoid the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). However, it is vital that babies have time on their tummies when they are awake to allow the back and neck muscles to develop properly.

A face-down position also helps to stimulate the functioning of the digestive system, develop the baby's breathing and strengthen the back in preparation for independent movement. The baby's head also needs to unmould after birth and when a baby is always lying on his/her back, there can be a tendency for the head to become "flat" on one side, as there is no opportunity to move in this position.

An important part of Baby Yoga is to teach and encourage parents to place a baby on her/her front. In this post, I'm introducing a basic face-down position which is suitable from birth till your baby's weight is too heavy for you to manage. This basic face-down position is another way of introducing tummy time to your baby. Some babies may not enjoy lying face-down on the floor. Instead, try letting your baby lie face down on your lap. Although your young baby may not have enough head and neck control, your baby's head and neck is well supported by your forearm in this position. If you have any wrist strain, you can make a fist and sit your baby on your forearms. Alternatively, you can use "Tiger in the Tree" position (which I will illustrate in a later post).

In the first picture, I'm holding BB Gloria (12 weeks old), with my right hand and forearm across her chest to support her head and neck. This is the "bannister" arm, which is holding BB Gloria at her left armpit. I can use my left hand to give her a gentle back massage. Then, I'm rolling BB Gloria from a face-down position on my lap (first picture) to a face-up position close to my chest (second picture) and giving her a kiss on her little cheek! In the second picture, my left hand becomes the "seat hand" which helps to support BB Gloria's bum. I can even use my left hand to give her a tummy massage, which can help relieve any wind pains.

Sometimes, when BB Gloria is crying from being tired and overstimulated, I hold her in the face-down position to calm her down before putting her to sleep. Sometimes, when she is crying from being bored, I hold her in the face-down position and do a few lifts, dips or swings. This will not help, if your baby is hungry, needs a diaper change, or is unwell.

If your baby is very young (newborn to 3 months), move slowly with no shaky and jerky movements and provide full support for your baby's head and neck with your arm across your baby's chest.

Good Morning Sequence

This short yoga sequence is a great way to greet your baby "Good Morning" when she has waken up and has had her feed. It is a simple sequence which only takes 5-10 mins! It is suitable for newborns onwards. Make the movements small and gentle for young babies and never force any movements.

Start with your baby lying down on her back and facing you.

Begin by singing "Oh Mr Sun" to make eye contact with your little one and encourage her to watch your hand actions.

Oh Mr Sun, Sun
Mr Golden Sun,
Please shine down on me.

Oh Mr Sun, Sun
Mr Golden Sun
Hiding behind the tree.

These little babies are asking you
To please come out
So we can play with you.

Oh Mr Sun, Sun
Mr Golden Sun
Please shine down on me.

Follow with a short dry massage and accompany it with a rhyme.

Round and round and round we go
(Massage baby's tummy clockwise)
Hand to hand
(Stroke from shoulder to hand, on both sides)
Head to toe
(Stroke from sides of head, along sides of body to feet)
Round and round and round we go
(Massage baby's tummy clockwise)
Not too fast
(Stroke from shoulder to hand, on both sides)
Not too slow
(Stroke from sides of head, along sides of body to feet)

Follow with a simple hip sequence (Knees to chest, Hip rolls, Butterfly) and you may like to sing "If you are happy and you know it" as you perform the actions.

Knees to chest (Sing "Bend your knees")
Place your hands on your baby's knees and gently bring your baby's knees towards her tummy. Press your baby's knees firmly on both sides of her abdomen for 3-10 seconds. This will help your baby's digestion and may produce a burp or a poop!

Hip rolls (Sing "Roll your hips")
Holding your baby's knees bent, gently roll them in a circle to the left and then to the right, as close to your baby's body as possible. Start with a small movement and gently increase it, as your baby gets used to it.

Butterfly (Sing "Clap your feet")
Hold your baby's ankles and bring her soles of the feet together, opening your baby's hips wide. Gently press the feet towards the tummy. You can clap your baby's feet together.
Caution: Do not perform this movement if your baby has "clicky" hips or hypermobile joints.

Next, you can choose to continue with the arm sequence if your baby is enjoying herself so far. If your baby is very young, you may want to skip the arm sequence. Sing along this rhyme as you perform the actions.

Open (Hold your baby's hands and gently stretch her arms open)
Shut them (Bring your baby's arms together in the centre)
Open (Hold your baby's hands and gently stretch her arms open)
Shut them (Bring your baby's arms together in the centre)
Don't get in a muddle. (Gently roll her arms in a circular motion in the centre)

Open (Hold your baby's hands and gently stretch her arms open)
Shut them (Bring your baby's arms together in the centre)
Open (Hold your baby's hands and gently stretch her arms open)
Shut them (Bring your baby's arms together in the centre)
Give yourself a cuddle (Bring your baby's arms across the chest and rock from side to side, enjoying a little cuddle)

End the sequence by hugging your baby and giving her a big kiss!

Daddy Teck Hou practising baby yoga with BB Gloria