A holistic approach to childcare can mean a stable grounding for good health

Our Clinical Pyschologist Advises...

All parents want to provide their child with a healthy start – some even begin the process a short time after conception! A holistic approach to childcare can mean a stable grounding for good health - mentally, physically and spiritually. As a parent, loving relative or caregiver of an infant, you want to see your child flourish. There is a lot that can be done to help prepare an unborn child for the loving environment that awaits him or her. Studies have demonstrated that the state of relaxation and contentment that can be achieved by listening to soothing music can indirectly contribute towards the good health of both mother and unborn child. From as early as 20 weeks after conception, babies become aware of sound! Soothing, melodic sound builds better connectors and receptors in the brain, stimulating neurological connections, so it makes sense that playing this type of music should have a positive effect on a developing baby.

Although classical music tends to be a favorite, playing your baby other types of soothing music can have the same positive effects. You may want to play your child music that you enjoy! Just remember - intense music such as rap or hard rock is not recommended as studies on animals have shown that exposure to discordant music can have a negative effect on brain development and even plants seem to abhor this type of music. (Ivy growing on a home where soothing music was played all day long flourished better than that on a house where occupants blasted hard rock).

A huge advantage is that amniotic fluid is an excellent conductor of sound waves – so although it is possible to put headphones onto the abdomen, it is not necessary. Sitting quietly in a comfy chair enjoying the music (at 70 decibels or less - about as loud as background music at the store) with your unborn child is just as effective (and a lot easier!). However, if you decide to play music close to the abdomen, it is recommended that this be done for no more than one hour a day. Remember that moderation is key.

Commissioned by a Clinical Psychologist, The Rocking Chair CD contains purely instrumental music. The music has been composed with the right combination of new sounds and repetitive melodies that will stimulate your baby’s development while at the same time being completely relaxing and soothing to the soul. Harmonizing melodies relax the mind and emotions, while stimulating cognitive and neurological development in your baby and encouraging a deep appreciation for music in your unborn child. Furthermore, a happy relaxed mother will have an enjoyable pregnancy, easier birth and happier baby. Therefore, play this CD during and after your pregnancy and enjoy it with your baby! Play music because you enjoy it - music can help you relax, fall asleep, or perk you up. You can put on some tunes, sit back and relax, or dance around and have fun.

Remember - listening to music will only make this very special time in your life more enjoyable! An added bonus is that babies who have been exposed to music in the womb, will recognise the music and respond positively to it during infancy – providing a wonderful way of settling your baby down to sleep during those first few months!

Adequate sleep is essential. We all know that the body needs rest to re-charge and replenish energy levels, metabolize food into nutrients and perform vital systemic tasks. But this is particularly important when carrying a child. Insomnia and disrupted sleep can interfere with balanced sleep routines and wreak havoc on mom’s system. Many sleep-aid drugs are understandably not recommended for use during pregnancy – so, what’s a safe alternative?

Triple Complex Sleep Tonic has been formulated to help maintain the healthy balance of all the hormones involved in healthy sleep cycles. Again, because tissue salts optimize health naturally on a cellular level, they are safe and gentle – yet still support the brain and assist in ‘winding down’ naturally without sedatives and synthetic tranquilizers – avoiding that ‘groggy’ feeling in the morning! Best of all, Triple Complex Sleep Tonic is safe for everyone, including pregnant women.

Now that we have established that healthy sleep patterns are very important, let’s have a look at the issue of mood and anxiety during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a time of hormonal fluctuation as well as big emotional adjustments and many women report feeling ‘blue’ or anxious during this time. Remember, everything that passes through mom’s lips is passed to baby too! This includes natural remedies. For this reason, Tissue Salts are the perfect choice to help with balanced mood and peace of mind. They contain biochemic tissue salts that occur naturally in mom’s body and support health on a cellular level. This makes them one hundred percent safe for all ages!

Triple Complex Mood Tonic and Triple Complex Nerve Tonic can be of great benefit in supporting mom’s emotions. Formulated by a Clinical Psychologist, these combination biochemic tissue salts are a safe alternative to stabilizing mood and supporting feelings of well being during this sensitive time – and we all know that a happy mom makes happy babies!

It is well known that smoking is extremely unhealthy – and especially so during pregnancy. Women who wish to conceive should definitely stop smoking and actively cleanse their systems before falling pregnant! Triple Complex NicoTonic has been especially formulated for those wishing to support their bodies while dealing with nicotine withdrawal. This natural tonic contains ingredients specifically selected to treat the 'short fuse' syndrome so frequently associated with nicotine withdrawal. While preventing irritability, temper outbursts and restlessness this remedy ensures a calmer and more successful path to a cigarette free life – without the use of harmful nicotine patches usually recommended to assist with nicotine withdrawal!

In our western culture babies are born into a fast paced, technology overloaded world. Gone are the days of birth in the tranquil wild plains of nature. Startling sounds and lights can put undue stress on a small baby. Without relief, this stress can accumulate and may cause a baby to block sensory intake and learning – the body’s natural response to a harsh environment that is not welcoming and safe. Infant massage can help a baby to relax, lessening irritability and soothing mood. This ability to relax can be a valuable life lessen that can be sustained throughout development.

In studies on touch deprivation among preschool children who were separated from their mother, they noted more frequent bouts of illness, in particular - upper respiratory infections, diarrhea and constipation. In a study on human infants (aged 10 weeks old) mothers provided extra touch stimulation. Results showed that the infants whose backs were massaged by their mothers experienced fewer colds and fewer occurrences of diarrhea. In further studies, preterm infants who, upon receiving daily massages, averaged 47% more weight gain than infants in the control group. This suggests that tactile stimulation may speed up development and recovery – allowing them to leave the hospital sooner.

Studies have shown that infants who were massaged:

• Showed improved sleeping patterns
• Experienced diminished irritability
• Reduced stress indicators such as heart rate and stress hormone levels
• Improved their circulation
• Strengthened their immunity
• Enhanced neurological development
• Stimulated digestion
• Provided relief of gas and colic, tummy discomfort and teething
• Deepened the bonding experience

Benefits for parents include:

• Helping parents to feel more competent and confident in their role
• Providing an opportunity for focused time together
• Increasing parents’ ability to help relax the child in time of stress
• Providing a healthy vehicle for stress relief for parents
• Enhancing communication and building respect between parent and child
• Bringing parents closer to each other by working towards a common goal - loving your baby and building a stronger family bond!

Start by choosing a place that is quiet, comfortable and warm. Lay baby on his/her back on a firm, but not rigid surface. Beds or changing tables offer the best option, and make sure baby is lying on a well-cushioned surface.

For massage oil, the best choices are organic aromatherapy oils that do not contain preservatives or additives. (Watch out for commercially produced mineral-type baby oils. They tend to have a non-organic, non-food petroleum base that is not the best choice). Feelgood Health’s Infant Massage Oil contains only 100 percent therapeutic grade almond oil, specifically formulated for babies from birth to the age of 12 weeks. Perfectly safe and gentle enough for sensitive newborn skins, this natural oil can provide therapeutic benefits as the oil warms with each soothing rub – helping parents to easily achieve the perfect loving touch.

For babies older than 12 weeks, Blissful Baby Massage Oil is a baby safe combination of soothing essential oils selected to improve blood circulation and general wellbeing in developing infants. Containing pure essential oils of Mandarin, Chamomile and Neroli in a therapeutic massage oil base, this remedy can provide moments of treasured bonding, safely and without adverse reactions.

When massaging your infant, strokes should be slow, soft and gentle. Remember to listen to and watch your baby's reactions and respond accordingly - let your baby guide you. There are many books available to teach therapeutic techniques and you can also look out for infant massage groups in your area. (There may even be specialized groups for pre-term babies or those with special needs). Click here for more specific details on how to perform infant massage.

Over time, massages should be adapted as your baby grows into a child. When a child begins to crawl it may be difficult to keep them in one place (especially when there is so much to investigate!) It is never a good idea to force an infant into massage. Remember the whole emphasis is on providing a pleasurable bonding experience – from a place of love and care. This is a gift of love and security.

Some of the most precious memories are created during this time of ‘getting-to-know’ your baby. With soft, melodic music playing in the background... feel your little one’s body relax as you feel your own spirit slip into a sacred space...