Little Stars Parent and Baby Classes
Welcome to Little Stars Baby Classes
Little Stars offers safe and welcoming classes in Melton Mowbray where those caring for young children can get together, make friends, seek support and establish local networks.
Little stars values working with parents as a fundamental part of their service.
We provide services that are respectful of children and parents’ individual differences; we value and celebrate ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity.
Laura is passionate with her baby classes and offers
- Baby Massage - This is suitable from birth until crawling
- Baby Yoga - This is suitable from 12 week
- Baby Signing - This is a parent and child class and suitable at any ages. This class features songs, stories, music and sensory activities.
- Baby Moves - A class for any ages to support engagement, enjoyment and movement and above all making relationships with other parents.
Welcome to Little Stars Baby Classes
What is baby massage? | Baby massage is a tool for parents to communicate with their babies through touch. Touch has been proven to have strong benefits for babies but also their parents. Through massage strokes on the legs, arms, body, head and back accompanied with songs is a brilliant activity for you and your baby to engage and incorporate into your daily routine.
Baby massage
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What is baby yoga? | Baby yoga is a centuries old tradition which can help give a child the best possible start in life, health, happiness, security, and a feeling of being loved. The benefits of baby yoga for both mother and baby are significant, impressive and undisputed and are widely endorsed by medical practitioners across the world. Whilst it may sound too good to be true the hands-on babies baby yoga I will be teaching could be the key to a happy, healthy and secure baby. Baby yoga involves the parent or caregiver a learning of a series of stretches, poses and moves which will enhance their baby's physiological and psychological development and deepen the parent – infant bond through nurturing touch. Nurturing touch supports the parent-infant relationship and promotes sensitive, attuned parenting. |
What happens if my baby is unhappy in the session? | My sessions are running on the basis that babies and their needs are always put first. Whether a child needs feeding, changing or whether they are unsettled, their needs will always come first. We will ensure that we readily embrace this. I appreciate that new mums are in the same boat and that our children do not always operate or co-operate to our planned activities or timetables – as much as we would like them to! There is no pressure in the class and we will not judge. We will always repeat, issue handouts, offer social media videos, 1:1 support giving you value for money, even if the class doesn’t go to plan! |
How do we massage? | The baby massage progresses each week. I will start teaching with the legs, and then move up the body all the way to the face. There will be new massages to learn each week and then recap previous weeks during the session to build up to a full body massage on week 5. There is also a special colic and teething routine that may be covered in week 5!
We do not put oil on babies faces, just on the body. Please use the small tester pot in your pack to patch test the oil. It is very uncommon for any allergic reaction; however it is not impossible. Pop a small dab of oil behind your baby’s ear and check the skin for a few hours and then the next day. If you are unsure of any reactions discontinue use and seek guidance from a medical professional. |
Do I need to do yoga? | Your main role is to communicate, interact and move your baby into moves and positions. You can do as much or as little as you want to. We can adapt moves to standing or sitting. We will do breathing exercises and also lift your baby, but you can work to your ability at all times! It is recommended you wear comfortable clothes for sitting on the yoga mats. |
What do I need to bring? | All yoga mats and changing mats are provided. Please bring a towel for your baby to lie on during relaxation time, and anything your baby may need. Remember - Babies can get very hungry after exercise and sometimes during. An area to breastfeed in private can be offered, or feel free to use our mats and still watch the session. If bottle feeding we have a kettle but you may want to bring a bottle made up or a premade bottle for ease. We will ask you to strip babies down to a vest so easy clothes to dress or undress is ideal. Please bring your admission form to your first session. Always arrive a few minutes early to speak to me before the session if you need or. Where possible arrive on your first session to allow time to hand in your forms and be prepared for a prompt start. If your running late – Don’t worry we will be there and can go through things after. |
Do we do Yoga for the full hour? | We will first welcome the babies and parents with a hello song and complete a short ice breaker. The first session is always full of information for you! Next Will be preparation mum and baby – Mentally and physically! Yoga will last up to 20- 30 minutes Tune in time – A relax for baby and mum Social time – A time for the babies to enjoy interaction, sensory play, toys whilst mums are rewarded with a nice cuppa and biscuit! End of the session concludes with a share of information, recap and also thoughts for the week.
We will have bare feet during the session to make sure that we do not slip! |
What happens if we miss a week? | Baby massage progresses each week and then recaps previous weeks and so you are able to catch up, and during refreshments I can demonstrate 1:1 for you if you are unsure. Yoga is different each week, with combinations of moves, combinations of songs all different. There will be little repetition – Unless you come above the 5 weeks! We also have different moves for under 20 months and over 20 months. It is always preferred that we start with the beginner moves. Don’t worry – sometimes babies get poorly in a 5-week block – remember baby’s will only want to participate if they are feeling happy and content, also infectious babies should rest at home. If you get a chance, message me or call and let me know so I can tell your friends on the course you are ok! We always start with beginner yoga. Once you have completed the basics there is the option to drop in, do the advanced course or even pop along a few times a year as a refresher!
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How do I pay? | There are three options I will bring my card machine which you can pay on the first week for the block of 5 Cash. Please bring the correct amount. We are sorry we do not accept cheques. Online - Bank Details are Little Stars – Sort code – 60-14-20 Account – 54672872. This is a NatWest Account. Please use your child’s first name followed by massage or yoga so we can trace your payments. Please pay before your first day. For drop in sessions please contact me with the date you wish to come to ensure we will not exceed our maximum numbers. Cash or card payments are preferred. Baby Yoga and massage is £35.00pp for 5 weeks Special offer, if you and a friend book together you both will receive a £5.00 discount making the yoga class £30.00pp for 5 weeks. Classes will range from 3-10 babies, depending on ages. 1:1 Sessions are available at a competitive price. Please speak to me for venues and details.
Please let me know your chosen method of payment before your first day.
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Where do I go? | From April 2024 we will be offering our classes at our new location - Nottingham Road |
I feel nervous – I’m worried I might not have the confidence to attend. | Its only natural to worry! Even I worry! Baby massage and yoga has a lot of benefits for you and baby, and you will get to meet other like-minded people that may even become friends! It’s a great way to bond with your baby, a great way to support post-natal issues, but more importantly its one hour a week to enjoy special time with your baby and someone else makes you a cuppa after!
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What is baby signing?
Baby sign language, is a method of communication using gestures and facial expressions based
on British and American Sign language. The acquisition of language for babies takes time
and repetition - the use of signs supports the acquisition of language, giving babies the skills
to communicate pre verbally. Babies naturally use gestures; eye contact and sounds to
communicate. In modern life as adults we use gestures to aid our communication – we wave
hello, we wave goodbye, we look at directions and use our facial expressions to communicate
how we are feeling for example smiles for something that is good or we are feeling happy.
Baby signs are simple gestures that allow the spoken word to be enhanced.
There are many benefits of baby sign language for the baby but also parents and carers.
One of the most important benefits is that it aids the acquisition of language, communication
and speech development. Before conducting my own research, I had considered whether
learning signs from birth could limit or reduce, the need for babies to communicate verbally.
Could learning Baby signs limit the urgency to acquire language? This is a misconception,
and one that is considered the complete opposite. Learning signs can increase and
support the development of speech and language.
“Signing adds visual and kinaesthetic dimensions – alternative channels that can help children to internalise language and take pleasures in its use” (www.deafbooks.co.uk).
Learning to use a sign, and for babies having the acknowledgement that the sign is understood
leads to a promotion of self-esteem and wellbeing. Babies are communicating from within the
womb and then immediately from birth. They use the verbal sounds e.g reception of
sounds and tones of voice. Then Non Verbal such as visual cues, facial expressions and
touch to communicate their basic needs. Babies will cry for attention. The cry is usually
responded with being picked up or a comfort object. Babies very quickly learn through
their behaviour that there are rewards for some behaviours. When a baby signs milk for the
first time, they learn through repetition that the sign gives them a reward. Babies then repeat
this to get the same reaction. Once babies are rewarded for their communication their self
esteem and well being is promoted. This is a happy experience and releases the happy
hormones - oxytocin and endorphins.
Babies enjoy communicating. Babies respond to our language, both verbally and non-verbally
.Playing Peekaboo is an example, it makes the baby sometimes jump, which they enjoy, which
makes them repeat the action again to gain the feeling they receive.
The more enjoyment babies gain from communication, the higher their levels of wellbeing and
self-esteem. Babies are able to support their physiological needs, by using signs verbally and
non-verbally for food, sleep, warmth and their needs to be comforted. Baby sign allows
the communication to be understood and supported that can reduce frustration. A large benefit
to baby sign is it can reduce frustration for the baby but also for the parents. Turn taking
in communication when successful allows both baby and the parent to feel happy and content.
Poor communication can cause babies to tantrum, showing their feelings of anger, frustration
and leaves the child feeling low.
Parents can also feel frustrated that they are unable to resolve the breakdown in communication
and can not settle their baby. Babies will then disengage in the communication and will take
time to settle and be comforted to allow communication to successfully take place again.
Attachment and bonding is also a main benefit. Signing with your baby requires time and
patience. Babies need to feel safe, loved and secure – and through high quality interactions
and communications parents build a bond with their child. The parent can effectively meet
the babies needs and understand their verbal and nonverbal cues through time spend learning
baby sign. Babies from birth require eye contact to support their bonding and interaction,
through the time at the classes, positive eye contact, facial expressions and music and songs
provides the parent and baby with a stimulating environment to share their learning together.