Pose: Butterfly Swing

We all know that most newborns love gentle rocking and swaying movements. Such movement also stimulates their vestibular system, the part of the brain that is responsible for how we orient ourselves in space and learn to balance. As our babies grow older, we can progress to more dynamic swinging movements. Most babies love the Butterfly Swing and it will help them acquire stronger back muscles and improve her sitting balance.

The Butterfly Swing is strictly for babies over 4 months old. If your baby is over 4 months old but her seat (bum) drops well below her feet when held in butterfly pose, wait for a few weeks before starting to swing her.

Instructions for Pose:

1. Sit in a kneeling position. Have your baby sitting in butterfly pose, facing away from you.

2. Holding her ankles firmly, take a breath and kneel up, bringing her lower back against your belly button.

3. Exhale and lower her down to the floor again. Repeat a few times until your arms and back feel comfortable in this lift.

4. To start swinging, lift her up and move her forward slightly in front of you. Her elbows should lie relaxed on your forearms. Swing her gently at first and gradually expand the range of movement. Watch her reaction to the swing to guide you whether you should swing slow or fast, gentle or dynamic.

5. Rhyme to accompany the swing - Hickory Dickory Dock

"Hickory Dickory dock,

The mouse ran up the clock,

The clock struck one

The mouse ran down,

Hickory Dickory dock."

6. End by lowering your baby onto the floor in front of you, tap her feet together in a little clap and release your hold.

Pose: Flying Baby

Here is another pose that Baby Gloria enjoys. This pose allows her to practise "tummy time" in a fun way while I can enjoys a back massage, if I roll side to side or strengthen my abdominals if I bring my knees in and out. I try to practise this pose 30 mins after she has fed, to reduce the chances of her vomitting her feed.

Instructions for Pose:
1. Sit with your knees bent 90 deg.
2. Hold your baby at her sides, with her chest and tummy against your shins.
3. Slowly lie down on the floor, bringing your baby up to face you as she rests on your shins.
4. Keep your hands around her sides to keep her safe and secure.
5. You can either bounce your baby on your knees (Hear her giggle!!) or roll your body and baby side to side for a lower back massage.
6. You can also bring your baby towards your face by crunching your abdominals.
7. To come out of the pose, roll yourself up into sitting. Give your baby a big hug!

Let your baby's reactions guide your movements. Remember, some babies may need some time to warm up to new yoga poses.

Pose: Toes to the Nose

As Baby Gloria gets older, she becomes more flexible. She is now 6 months old and is able to bring her foot to her mouth. She loves to put practically everything into her mouth to explore!





Instructions for Pose:
1. Mummy can either kneel or sit cross-legged on the floor. Have your baby either sitting on your thigh or in your lap, with her back closest to you.

2. Use your right hand to hold your baby's right leg near her ankle. Your thumb can rest on her shin while your first few fingers support the back of her leg. Support her left leg with your left hand.

3. Bring baby's toes to her nose. You can even tickle her nose with her toes.

4. Repeat 3-5 times.

As with all other yoga poses, it is important to respect our baby. Notice the limit of her flexibility and if she resists the movement, do not force. You can always practise again another day!

This pose helps to improve and maintain hip flexibility. Hip flexibility in boys is different from that in girls. If your baby is a boy, he will be less flexible because of the way the thigh bones (femurs) are positioned into his pelvis.