What is Baby Reflex?
Baby Reflex is specially adapted reflexology for babies and toddlers. The techniques originally were developed for bonding and over the years research has showed that it has helped to ease, provide relief, and eliminate many baby discomforts, proving to be very popular and successful with parents.
Baby Reflex is taught to parents and guardians so that they can use it on their own children. Baby Reflex courses are for babies from 4 weeks onwards and Baby Reflex 4 Toddlers courses are for toddlers from 10 months old.
The Baby Reflex technique aims to be fun, improves mood, encourages bonding, aids sleep, promotes relaxation and a feeling of well being.
Baby Reflex is a complementary therapy and can be used alongside orthodox medicine, it is not a substitute. Parents should always contact their doctor or health professional if they have any concerns about their baby or toddler’s health.
How did it all begin?
Jenny Lee, MCSP MAR, who is both a Chartered Physiotherapist and a qualified Reflexologist and Teacher, has been working with mothers and young children for over fifteen years during which time she carried out a number of pilot studies in conjunction with children’s GPs, designed to examine the effects of reflexology on childhood asthma. The results of those studies revealed benefits of reduced asthma; better sleep patterns; greater ability to relax; a much improved ‘quality of life’, and perhaps most important of all, an enjoyment by those children, of the actual treatment of reflexology.
Those results were so valuable to those children that Jenny decided to introduce this new and exciting concept of reflexology, called ‘Baby Reflex’.
How does it work?
It works in the same way as reflexology on adults, however, it is specially adapted to suit the needs of babies and toddlers, taking into account their size and well being. It works on the belief that reflex points on the feet and hands are linked to all the organs, bodily systems and skeletal structure of the body. A very gentle touch is applied to these reflex points in order to promote relaxation and feeling of well being.
How are these taught?
Baby Reflex and Baby Reflex 4 Toddlers courses are taught in small groups of around four to six children and their parents. Courses can also be arranged as a one-to-one in the comfort of your own home.
Baby Reflex courses are for babies from 4 weeks old. The course is taught as three 1 hour sessions over the course of 3 weeks. The workshops are themed - feeding/digesting, sleeping/comforting and finally well being. Baby Reflex is taught on the feet.
Baby Reflex 4 Toddlers courses are for toddlers from 10 months old up to 5 years. The course is taught as two 1½ hour sessions over the course of 2 weeks. The workshops are themed, week 1 - well being, calming breathing, constipation and digestion, decongesting and supporting body’s defences, calming a hyper toddler, and first aid for stings. Week 1 is taught on the hands with lots of songs and nursery rhymes. Week 2 covers how to do the sequences learnt in week 1 but on the feet. Baby Reflex for Toddlers is taught to parents without toddlers present where possible, as there are then less distruptions, but of course if you would like to bring them along they are always very welcome to join you.
Why is it themed?
Teaching parents the techniques in bite size chunks allows them to absorb the information in easily remembered themed sessions.
Who can attend these workshops?
Baby Reflex and Baby Reflex 4 Toddlers is taught to parents and guardians.
Where can I go to learn Baby Reflex?
Teaching is carried out either in parent’s homes or at friendly workshops held at Leatherhead Leisure Centre with a small group of parents. The workshops are designed to be fun, with lots of hands-on learning. You learn as you go along, with plenty of time to ask questions and there are no tests involved.
Why would parents choose Baby/Toddler Reflex?
Most parents have either tried or heard of, the many benefits of reflexology. With the modern climate of parents seeking complementary therapies; baby reflex offers the benefits of a safe, non invasive, drug free natural therapy.
What is the difference between Baby Reflex and baby massage?
Baby Reflex is portable, there is no requirement to remove clothes, as it is done on the feet and hands, and in fact can be done anywhere, even in the queue at the supermarket.
Do children really like Baby/Toddler Reflex?
Mostly they relax, fall asleep and love it!
Who can demonstrate Baby/Toddler Reflex?
Only qualified Reflexologists can teach parents Baby Reflex or Baby Reflex 4 Toddlers.
How can I book a Baby or Toddler Reflex workshop?
If you are interested in learning Baby Reflex or Baby Reflex 4 Toddlers, you can either book a private course as a one-to-one or share the cost with a small group of friends and conveniently hold it in one of your homes. Alternatively, you can book a Baby Reflex or Baby Reflex 4 Toddlers workshop course at Leatherhead Leisure Centre. For dates of courses please click here.
Are there times when I shouldn’t give Baby Reflex to my child?
Yes there are, please see list below:
Baby/toddler reflex should not be given to the child immediately after vaccination – wait for 48 hrs.
Always seek medical advice BEFORE giving Baby Reflex if the child:
- Is pale & listless
- Has a fever
- Is breathless especially when drinking
- Has a rash & temperature rise, especially with a stiff neck
- Has fits
- Starts sudden vomiting - not usual to your child
- Has trembling limbs
- Cries in pain when touched or picked up
- Has any kind of head injury
Reflexology Research relevant to ‘Baby Reflex’
There were three UK exploratory research studies into the effects of reflexology on child asthma, and these were co-ordinated by Jenny Lee. These three studies, examining the effect of reflexology on asthmatic children, took place in conjunction with Oxford University, Watlington Hospital, an Oxfordshire Primary School, and over forty family homes across England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Channel Islands. This pilot research was carried out to include the periods during which asthma is at its height, from the autumn of 1994 and through to the winter of 1998.
There were two very clear results from these studies.
1. The improvement of sleep in all the children, in all three studies who were receiving reflexology treatment.
One study, which involved eight asthmatic children of varying ages, showed that the two youngest children, who were aged 3 and 4 years respectively, actually fell asleep during the 15 minutes of reflexology treatment itself, despite the treatment being given in a hospital clinic, which is often an environment, felt far from relaxing, and often hostile, by children!
An eleven year old boy, in one of the control groups, who was having sleep problems, particularly asked to be given reflexology as part of the follow-up at the end of the research project. He was amazed that he actually fell asleep during his first treatment! His dislike of sleep had been overtaken by his enjoyment of reflexology!
2. The second result was the increased bonding that took place between the child and their parents. This was recorded in most of the child reflexology groups in those studies. The ‘bonding’ between child and parents is now recognised by the medical establishment as essential in early child development, and certainly adds to better relationships at home. Additionally, some parents reported that their children had become much nicer to the parents themselves after receiving regular reflexology.
Following on these studies, Jenny continued her work with babies and children. Parents were very interested learn how to give limited reflexology to their own babies and toddlers.
Mothers, who have used baby reflex techniques, have found that they were able to soothe and calm their babies. Their babies sleep improved having had baby reflex.
It became clear that once fully trained by a qualified Baby Reflexologist, parents can safely give a treatment to their own babies.
