Baby + Me Yoga | Sleep Well Series

Did you know that yoga can help your baby sleep better and longer? The movements of yoga can make babies more comfortable because yoga engages muscles and then relaxes them, leaving your baby content and ready to rest. 

Here's a series to incorporate into your bedtime routine for better sleep.

Want more baby yoga? Join me at Be Well in Morristown (in-person and livestream) on Wednesdays at 10am ET. Register here: https://bewellihs.com/register-for-yoga/

Sleep Well Baby Yoga Series*

Heartwarming Touch

This helps your baby connect their mind to their body and orients them in space. It’s also a great way to signal bedtime has arrived, your voice and hands reflecting a calming moment.

1. Place your baby on their back facing you and gently place your hands on their shoulders and chest.
2. With the intention of sending warm and soothing energy to your baby, slowly and gently glide your hands down their body.
3. Sing “heartwarming touch” in a slow, soothing rhythm as you make your way down their body. Spend about 6 seconds going from head to toes.

Baby Planet

This helps your baby foster an awareness of space that helps them move with more confidence, grace and skill. Sing the navigational locations as you go through the movements.

North Pole - Touch the top of your baby’s head with both hands

South Pole - Gently pull baby’s feet downward

East Coast - Very gently move baby’s left arm by their forearm from the center of their body to their left (extending while keeping elbow bent)

West - Repeat with right arm

Inside - Softly bring both of your baby’s hands onto their chest

Outside - Extend their arms out in opposite directions

Baby, you’re the best! - Place your hands on your baby’s belly and gently wiggle them from side to side.

Corkscrew

By circling the hips in a clockwise direction, you’re following the natural route of digestion, helping rid your baby of abdominal gas and constipation.

1. Rest your baby on their back with your thumbs holding the back of their thighs and forefingers resting on top of their thighs
2. Begin to circle your baby’s thighs clockwise with both hands while singing “corkscrew,” letting one circle equal the time it takes to sing “corkscrew”

 
*Please note that each baby pose in the series is adapted to the baby’s level of mobility. If you feel resistance in their body, honor it and ease out of the movement.