THE start of a new baby massage and yoga group could not have come at a better time following a spike in births attributed to the coronavirus lockdown.
The classes at TCR Hub, in Barnard Castle, were started by instructor Kelly Reed who gave birth to her third child, Alfred, while restrictions in place.
Ms Reed became aware of the benefits of the exercises when attending classes with her first two children.
Ms Reed, who served as a nurse for 18 years, said: “I was inspired to do this while having a baby in a pandemic last year and seeing all the classes for babies no longer run or that some towns had none to start with.”
Along with her current diploma, which is accredited by the Royal College of Midwifery, she is now also training towards extending the sessions to toddlers. The massage sessions are carried out over a four-week programme.
Katie Brown, who has been attending baby massage with two-week-old Ben said: “It helps with digestion and cholic, and with bonding with your baby.”
Ms Reed added: “Sleep is probably the best thing it helps with. It improves flexibility of the joints and it helps with immunity by stimulating the feet and the organs.
Classes are currently limited to six, but could be expanded when it moves to a bigger hall at The Hub.
Ms Reed said: “It is a nice way to socialise and it is a gentle, easy way to get out again for mum and baby.”
The classes also focus on the sensory aspects of development through the use of music and lights, and each is themed, like being on the beach or in the snow.
Baby yoga is aimed at children above the age of eight-weeks and involves a lot more movement, which Ms Reed says helps the baby develop its muscles and motor skills.
Baby massage runs from 9.30am to 10.30am each Wednesday, followed by baby yoga at 10.30am.
Ms Reed says the sessions are ideally timed as there was a rise in the number of births around the turn of the year – nine months after the first lockdown.
She expects another spike shortly due to the second lockdown.
For more information about the sessions, visit tcrhub.co.uk or search for Kelly’s Bhudda Babies on Facebook.
