Birthlight Forums

Dear colleagues

I would welcome some support from experienced Baby Yoga teachers,  with ideas for a new baby at my class aged 5 months who has a slight left sided weakness, cause unknown. She is followed up by a physiotherapist who has suggested some excercises and mum has already been doing 'wind the bobbin up' song and movement for arms.The baby really enjoyed the first session and mum wants to continue. Is there anything I should avoid?

Thanks

Jewant

Dear Jewant,

The fact that the cause for the left sided weakness is unknown leads to caution ( heart? brain?) so take a lead from the exercises recommended by the physio and modify them slightly so that  they are more fluid in a yoga way, encourage the mother to breathe with the exercises so that the baby enters into a joint rhythm with her as this would be beneficial for them both if the mother has been worried about the baby's condition.

At 5 months you are soon going to see whether the effects of this weakness are serious or not as the baby starts preparing to sit and propel herself. At present I would also encourage rolls to the right, which would stimulate the whole left side of the baby's body and also be fun. The diagonal cross stretches also work well as a general way of strengthening right-left coordination.

Mostly, use yoga to diffuse anxiety around the baby, it's great that she has enjoyed her first session with you and continuing from there can only be positive,

all best wishes

Francoise 

Thank you Francoise

At my last session mum stated her baby had seen the physiotherapist the previous week. I had requested that she get clearance from the physio and/or paediatric doctor but it seems she did not ask them. She said that the exercises in the class are the type they have advised her to use so she is happy to carry on attending the class. I am a little concerned about this as I would feel happier to have clearance but mum is keen to attend without checking with them. Her baby is not keen to sit and immedately straightens her back and wants to weight bear on her feet. she is more keen to stand and keep her back straight. When mum tried to sit her sideways on her lap for bannister hold gentle rocking she immediately stood onto her feet, her back very straight and felt stiff. She is not keen on prone position and rolls over immediately. She feels very stiff to hold rarther then weakness, mum was told there is some resistense in her left side.  Despite all this she is a very happy smiley baby!!!  I will try your suggestions but do you think I should ask mum again to get clearance?

Jewant