This is a relaxing and pleasant experience for moms and babies. My approach: I use my skilled hands to feel where your baby is tight. I know what to look for with babies and how to correct it, while working with your baby's body in a gentle way. I have spent many years training how to do this.
Babies are often deeply relaxed at the end of the session. It's like your baby just had a massage.
How it works
You and your baby come to my relaxing office in the centre of Calgary.
We will talk about what your concerns are with your baby and with breastfeeding.
You'll lay your baby on the comfortable massage table.
I'll look at how your baby's body as they lay on their back, side and tummy.
I'll use my hands to feel your baby's body overall. In general I'm feeling for places that are tight in your baby's body.
I'll feel the shape of your baby's head. I'm feeling for flat spots, ridges and evenness of shape all around.
I'll look at your baby's eyes, nose and mouth. I'm looking for both sides of their face to be even, equal, open and clear.
I'll feel the shape of your baby's mouth with a gloved finger.
I'll feel for how your baby is sucking.
I'll listen for the sounds of your baby's breath and look at how much effort it takes for them to breathe.
Where there is tension in your baby's body I'll stop and hold the area in a specific way to release the tension. When I hold your baby's body in the right way tension melts away or unwinds under my hands. For you it looks more like quiet holding than it looks like massaging; babies are highly sensitive to sensation so holding is more effective in deflating tension.
You will feed, change and comfort your baby at any time during the session. It's good to treat your baby in different positions. Treating while feeding is highly effective.
Babies need to be close to their mamas. For this reason you can expect that I will be close to your body for much of the session (because your baby will be close to you). You'll interact and play with your baby if they are awake while I work with their body. Babies are much more receptive to releasing tension when you are making face to face contact with your baby. It helps your baby feel more comfortable and confident.
Most of the time your baby will have their clothes on unless I need to look at their ribs.
I'll teach you 3 simple ways that you can help your baby's body continue to improve while you are at home in between appointments.
I'll show you what to do and then you'll do it. I'll give you tips and tricks as to how to tailor it to your baby's specific needs.
I'll start you out with full body movements like the tummytimemethod and guppy and layer on specific mouth exercises. @tonguetiebabies and Michelle Emanuel's you tube channel has many examples of the exercises I'll show you.
All movement exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles of your baby's body for better function and to build a healthy nervous system for your baby's optimal brain development.
Towards the end of the session I'll tell you when it's optimal to come back. It's often 1/week for 4 weeks. Full balanced tension release takes time. Think of it like peeling away layers of an onion.
I find that we get better results when we cluster the session close together. You'll notice changes in your baby's body during the session and throughout the week. Each week I'll reduce and balance another layer of tension in your baby's body. Each week I'll also layer on new exercises you can do at home with your baby. You are under no obligation or pressure to come for more sessions.
What to expect after the session
Your baby will likely have a good, long or short, deep sleep after the session and a few extra poops that day. Babies are generally pretty relaxed afterwards. Plan to return home and chill out for the rest of the day as best you can (this would not be the day to do errands or book other apts). On the odd occasion some babies need you for extra support emotionally as they cope with all the new changes in their body.