Modern Momma
water baby from the
get-go!
“What the heck is that baby in?!” Relax, he’s safe! Let me introduce you to…The Amazing Baby Spa!
But first a little backstory…
I believe that baby milestones are more for the parents than the child. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an absolutely amazing accomplishment when your baby takes that first step or says their first word. And, in my opinion, it’s more so for the parent because it’s confirmation that you’re doing something right. Yes, every baby is different, and by the time they start school, everyone has caught up. But let’s be honest, when you’re able to say your kid did “xyz” early with a smug grin on your face, it’s a hard earned grin. I also believe that as parents, we inherently want to enable our children to reach their maximum potential. I feel that it’s my duty to use my resources to nurture my child’s innate abilities. From day one Sammy has been super active and alert. Finding opportunities for him to develop and strengthen his body early on was essential.
I first came across Amazing Births and Beyond when I was researching about having a doula at Sammy’s birth. What I found was an amazing resource center, not just for my pregnancy, but also postpartum. There I met Trudie, a doula and business owner who is equipped with loads of experience helping momma’s give birth, has tons of personality, and lots of baby knowledge. When she told me about the Amazing Baby Spa’s water exercises and infant massage, I knew I wanted to take Sammy there as soon as he was physically capable.
This was ideal for someone like me – a new momma and first of my friends to have a baby. I was really figuring things out on my own at this point. I really looked forward to our weekly visits to the Amazing Baby Spa as it was an opportunity for me to get out of the house and talk about my most recent obsession… Sammy and all things baby. And with Trudie I could do that free of judgement! 🙂
Let’s talk a little bit more about The Amazing Baby Spa… I took Sammy there once a week starting at three weeks old until he was about six and a half months. Each time I would put him in a swim diaper and then carefully place a swim ring (foam tube) around his neck with Trudie’s expert oversight. She and her husband designed these 45”w x 45”d x 48″h tubs to hold 65 gallons of filtered water. She usually keeps the water temperature set to 98 to simulate the temperature and feel of being in the womb. From there, I would gently place him in the tub and watch him float, splash, kick, and giggle in there as long as he so pleased (usually about 25-30 minutes). When he was done I quickly dried him off, placed him on a fuzzy soft towel and administered infant massage. Yes, I gave my baby a massage. This baby is really living his best life – isn’t he! Anyway, this baby spa setup is based on a fairly new concept. So new in fact that it doesn’t really have a name. Baby hydrotherapy? Baby water exercise? You get the gist. I basically enlisted my three week old in a strength training program and I’m super happy that I did.
Let’s talk a little bit more about The Amazing Baby Spa… I took Sammy there once a week starting at three weeks old until he was about six and a half months. Each time I would put him in a swim diaper and then carefully place a swim ring (foam tube) around his neck with Trudie’s expert oversight. She and her husband designed these 45”w x 45”d x 48″h tubs to hold 65 gallons of filtered water. She usually keeps the water temperature set to 98 to simulate the temperature and feel of being in the womb. From there, I would gently place him in the tub and watch him float, splash, kick, and giggle in there as long as he so pleased (usually about 25-30 minutes). When he was done I quickly dried him off, placed him on a fuzzy soft towel and administered infant massage. Yes, I gave my baby a massage. This baby is really living his best life – isn’t he! Anyway, this baby spa setup is based on a fairly new concept. So new in fact that it doesn’t really have a name. Baby hydrotherapy? Baby water exercise? You get the gist. I basically enlisted my three week old in a strength training program and I’m super happy that I did.
I learned about something I’d never heard of until meeting Trudie. That humans are born with a “natural dive reflex.” No, this doesn’t mean we can breath underwater. What it means is that from birth to about six to seven months of age, when placed under water a baby’s lungs close and any swallowed water makes its way down the esophagus and is processed as anything would be. Babies have this natural ability to move underwater, because, well, life started in water. When placed in these tubs babies instinctively know what to do. The benefits are endless. Besides your little one fitting in a quick workout, because they are able to really get a good stretch, being able to move in the water helps digestive and respiratory issues.
Like I mentioned, Sammy has always been a ball of energy! Even changing his diaper early on was a challenge, and I have a video of him at just a few weeks old trying to roll over. Taking him to the The Amazing Baby Spa benefited both momma and baby in our case. It enabled him to move freely and strengthen those little developing baby muscles which helped him hit those baby milestones on the early side. It also helped momma get out of the house! Not to mention it sure made for some cute pictures!
