Happy Bump and Baby

I’ve had quite a few new followers recently, so time for a hello post!

Hello! 👋 This is me, Laura, owner of Happy Bump and Baby (formerly Daisy Foundation Denbighshire and Conwy 😊) with my boys.

A few fun facts about me -
- I have 2 boys who are 9 and 11
- I have 3 cats, 2 of which are now 15. One is very, very clingy and it’s been like have a furry toddler for 15 years 😂
- I drink about 8 cups of tea a day
- I’m a massive fan of 80s music, films and fashion. I’ve seen Bon Jovi live 4 times 😎😂
- Pre-children I loved to travel lots and some of my favourite places I’ve visited are Kenya, Jerusalem and LA
- I’m a medieval history geek. There’s not much I don’t know about 13th century Wales 🤓😂
- One of my previous jobs was as a paranormal investigator in a haunted castle
- I’m a big believer in manifestation and try to do a daily gratitude and mindfulness practise
- I get absolutely fuming when I hear in classes that mums are being given outdated or non-evidence based advice 🤯

I’ve been teaching baby classes for 8 years now, qualified as an antenatal teacher 7 years ago, and have training and qualifications in antenatal preparation, infant feeding, baby sleep, infant development, weaning, toddler-led toileting, mindfulness and meditation, forest bathing, baby massage, postnatal yoga, and baby and kids yoga and mindfulness. So when you come to my birthing and baby classes you can have total confidence in how you are taught and supported 😊

Wrigglers has consistently been my most popular class since I started teaching it in 2017. Babies come back for new terms again and again, until they’re too big to keep coming! (And then it’s time for Cruisers 😉)

We’re a lovely baby class mix of singing, baby yoga, story time and sensory play. But more than what we do, Wrigglers is about how you feel. Classes are always small and comfortable, I get to know everyone very well, if you’re too shy to talk to other mummies you can talk to me 😊 You have an opportunity to play and bond with your baby without either of you being overwhelmed, led by a teacher with bags of experience in holding space for mums and leading activities that support baby development.

The next term of Wrigglers starts 3rd September in St Asaph.

https://happybumpandbaby.co.uk

💜 CRAZY CRUISERS! 💜

I honestly never know who has more fun in Cruisers, the mums or the babies! There’s so much laughter in the room when it’s Cruisers time 🥰

By the time babies are ready for Cruisers, about 10/11 months or when they’re starting to move, their little personalities are really starting to shine, and their antics are hilarious. And they really enjoy starting to work as a team with mum. We keep lots of familiar things from Wrigglers, like storytime and what’s in the box?, but we add in much more lively baby yoga, as well as action songs and games, where the two of you can be the best, most fun little team together 😊😍

The next term of Cruisers starts Thursday 5th September.

Not sure which Happy Bump and Baby baby class to book onto? Here’s a handy guide about what to expect from each class 😊

☀️ Tinies
Baby massage, postnatal movements and guided relaxation. For new babies aged around 6 weeks to 4/5 months.

☀️ Bath Babies
Gentle sensory water play, post-bath massage, meditation, relaxation and gratitude practise. For new babies aged around 6 weeks to 5 months.

☀️ Wrigglers
Baby and yoga, songs, rhymes and sensory play.
For babies 4/5 months to 10/11 months or confidently crawling.

☀️ Cruisers
Baby and toddler yoga, songs, rhymes and sensory play. For mobile babies 10/11 months to 18 months.

☀️ Little Yogis
Toddler yoga, songs, games and crafts.
For toddlers aged 18 months to 3 years

The next term starts 3rd September in St Asaph.

Visit https://happybumpandbaby.co.uk to book your class 💜

We finished our mini term of Tinies today! We rounded off the term with a brill body baby massage, as well as a little bit of baby yoga and soft stretching. Plus all of our usual gentle stretching and postnatal relaxation for the mummies 🥰

The September term of Tinies starts NEXT WEEK and the last few spaces are on the website for booking now!

It was the last class of the mini summer term of baby classes today, and first up was Wrigglers! We finished off with a rather unseasonal polar bear theme (well if the weather’s going to behave like it’s winter!) and we had lots of fun exploring lots of different textures and sensory items 🐻‍❄️❄️

The September term of Wrigglers starts NEXT WEEK and the last few spaces are on the website for booking now!

🌟 Embrace the Power of Breath During Labour 🌟

Bringing a little one into the world is a breathtaking journey, literally! 💫 Let's talk about the incredible benefits of mastering breathing techniques during labour. 🤰🌬️

1️⃣ Pain Relief: Deep, rhythmic breathing can be a game-changer when it comes to managing discomfort during labour. Breathing this way ensures a constant supply of oxygen to your uterus, which means it can do its job efficiently and effectively. Your uterus is a muscle like any other in the body. Lots of oxygen means that that hard working muscle can avoid unpleasant things like a build up of lactic acid, which in turn means avoiding things like cramp and unnecessary discomfort.

2️⃣ Mechanics of Birth: Did you know that proper breathing techniques can actually enhance the mechanics of birth? Lots of oxygen also means that the uterus, and muscles fibres that support it and drive the up and down movements of the contractions, stay fluid and mobile, moving through contractions with ease.

3️⃣ Stress Relief: Labour can be intense, both physically and emotionally. But here's where your breath becomes your best ally. By practicing mindfulness and deep breathing, you can reduce stress hormones like cortisol, promoting a sense of calm and empowerment. By focusing on your breath, you can ease tension and promote relaxation, helping you navigate each contraction with more ease.

Remember, mama: Every breath brings you closer to meeting your little one. 🌈✨ So take a deep inhale, exhale any doubts, and trust in the incredible strength of your body. You've got this! 💪

The next term of Birthing classes starts 9th September in St Asaph.

Have you got a new baby at home and you’re looking for a first baby class to go to? I’ve got you covered with Tinies 💜

For babies aged around 6 weeks to 4/5 months, Tinies is a calm and relaxing first baby class. Classes are kept small so I get to know every mum and baby well, no one gets lost in a crowd and no one is overstimulated. Baby massage, postnatal stretching, and guided relaxation are all designed to support the 4th trimester mum and baby. We leave the themes and jazzy stuff to when they’re a bit bigger, and focus on connection and positive touch, with babies all of a similar age so you’re with other mums who get your stage of new motherhood. And run by a teacher with 7 years experience of teaching baby classes and supporting mums 💜

The new term starts on Tuesday 3rd September in St Asaph. Head on over to https://happybumpandbaby.co.uk to book your place.

I’m always saying how my classes are baby-led and mother-centred, but what do these actually mean?

Baby-led is pretty straightforward - we’re guided in what we do by how the babies are feeling. If they need to feed, be changed, have a cuddle, we meet those needs first and class content comes after, once they’re settled. We follow their cues and only do what they are comfortable with, always.

But what about mother-centred? For me, this means that at the heart of everything I do, is you, the mum. From years of extensive training, teaching experience and my own mothering, I know all too well that the most beneficial thing for a baby’s wellbeing, is that of its mother.

So we could wave all the jingly bells and coloured scarves in front of a baby and they’d be entertained and happy enough, but if they then go home with a mum who feels over stimulated, overwhelmed, not heard, and lonely, that affects both mum AND baby.

So in all my classes, but especially in those for new babies with mums in the vulnerable 4th trimester, you are my priority. From the small things (that we know actually aren’t that small really) like greeting you with a hot drink, to asking how you are, and then actually listening to HOW YOU ARE, I care about your wellbeing and do all I can to support it.

I particularly design new baby classes to be relaxing, positivity affirming, and with activities that promote bonding and nurturing touch, and connection with yourself as well as your baby. The flashy stuff can come in a bit later on.

And I’ve got bucket loads of training in things like infant development, baby sleep, infant feeding, weaning, toilet training, and mindfulness and meditation, so you can always pick my brains for anything you need support with, and I can help you myself, or point you in the right direction of somewhere else that can.

Because Mama, you’ve got this. But know that I’ve also got you 💜

📣Last spaces left in September Baby Classes! 📣

Just over a week to go until the September term starts, and we’re down to the last few spaces left in each class now!

If it’s been a looooong summer without so much as a whisper of a baby class for you, then it’s time to start getting some routine back into your life, and make sure your baby class spot is booked!

https://happybumpandbaby.co.uk

A rainbow baby is a baby born following the loss of another. A rainbow is something beautiful that follows a storm, and while it doesn’t deny the storm, it offers beauty and hope of brighter days to come.

Who is your rainbow that you're celebrating today?

Little Yogis - what a class!!

Toddlers are absolutely hilarious, and I’ve developed Little Yogis to give their brilliant little personalities as many opportunities to shine as possible!

Every week we go on a different themed yoga journey, followed by a simple craft you can do together with your little one. Mums take this part VERY seriously 😂

The yoga is sandwiched between lots of songs and sensory games that develop the toddlers’ body awareness, coordination, balance, fine and gross motor skills, and social skills. But they have so much fun they have no idea just how much they’re learning!

The September term of Little Yogis start Thursday 5th at 9.30am in St Asaph, £32 for a 4 week term.

Happy Bump and Baby | Antenatal baby classes in Denbighshire | St Asaph, Saint Asaph, UK Happy Bump and Baby | Antenatal and baby classes in St Asaph, Denbighshire

This is a question I’m getting asked a lot at the moment!

You can, of course, do both! I’ve got mums doing both at the moment, meaning you get to see my face twice a week 😜

Both classes are for new babies, aged from around 6 weeks. Tinies stops at around 4 months, and babies can come to Bath Babies until they’re 5 months.

But if you want to come to just one class, here’s some help choosing -

☀️ Tinies
- Includes gentle postnatal movements for mums
- An oil baby massage is the main chunk of the class
- Minimal sensory play - the focus is on nurturing touch
- We finish off every week with a short guided relaxation

☀️ Bath Babies
- No postnatal movements - it’s a still and calm class, and about being in the present moment
- Babies get a sensory bath each week, with gentle sensory water play that supports infant development
- There’s also a short post-bath oil massage
- We start AND finish each class with some grounding meditations, mindful breath-work, and gratitude practise.

Both classes are baby-led, mother-centred, relaxing, laidback, totally supportive of the 4th trimester, and a hot drink made for you is a given 🥰

If you didn’t want to do both classes at the same time but start coming along from when baby is at the 6 week mark (or earlier if you’re ready to be out and about) you could do one term of each, one after the other, before eventually moving on to Wrigglers 😊

Drop me a message if you have any more questions at all, or head to the website to book your space for September.

Come to Cruisers, that’s what!

I’ve been running Cruisers for 6 years now, and it’s one of my absolute favourite classes. This is the class for bigger babies who are moving around and finding their independence, but aren’t quite running toddlers just yet. It’s the class for mums who are worried about their baby crawling all over little babies, but know their little one isn’t ready for the directions and activities of a toddler class.

In Cruisers we have lots of familiar aspects from Wrigglers, but with much more lively yoga. Honestly, the more we throw them around, the louder they giggle! And we put much more emphasis on you and your baby working together as a team.

And you can sit back and relax as you watch your little monkey assert their developing personality amongst all the other little monkeys that are the same age!

The September term of Cruisers starts Thursday 5th at 10.45am in St Asaph, £32 for a 4 week term.

Happy Bump and Baby | Antenatal baby classes in Denbighshire | St Asaph, Saint Asaph, UK Happy Bump and Baby | Antenatal and baby classes in St Asaph, Denbighshire

Your feedback honestly means so much, and every review shared makes a massive difference to a small business 🥰

If you’ve ever been to a Happy Bump and Baby class I’d love it if you could pop on to the page and leave a review. Your feedback helps other mums and mums-to-be know what to expect from classes and helps them make their choice about what classes to go to 😊

Happy Bump and Baby Birthing classes are not just about first time mums, they are suitable for and welcome everyone, no matter how many previous pregnancies you have had. Every mum-to-be needs updated education, a chance to relax and prepare, and meet a new support network of mums to be.

The next term of Birthing classes starts Monday 9th September in St Asaph.

In Tinies this morning we added a chest and arms massage, and some tummy time with a back massage to our baby massage routine. And mummies got to do some gentle movements and stretching, and then we all finished off the sessions with some guided postnatal relaxation 😴

The September term of Tinies is on the website for booking now 😊

It was duck week in Wrigglers today! So after we sang lots of songs, and limbered up with some baby yoga, and before we played with our parachute and tried to catch bubbles, we played in our sensory duck pond! 🦆🦆🦆

The September term of Wrigglers is on the website now for booking, and there’s a 9.30am and a 12pm class to choose from 😊

The September term of Baby Classes is on the website for booking now!

Some classes are almost full already from rebookers so don’t leave it too long to grab your space!

Starting Tuesday 3rd and Thursday 5th September, this is a 4 week term.

All classes are held at the St Asaph Business Park.

Visit https://happybumpandbaby.co.uk to book your space.

Happy Bump and Baby | Antenatal baby classes in Denbighshire | St Asaph, Saint Asaph, UK Happy Bump and Baby | Antenatal and baby classes in St Asaph, Denbighshire

On Monday nights I’m usually helping pregnant mums prepare for their upcoming births, but right now I’m having a little summer break. But the September term is only a few weeks away, and we’re down to the last *4 spaces* left! So if you’re having a baby in October or November, now is the time to book your space to prepare for your positive birth.

🍁Calling all October & November due dates!🍁

I hate to say it as we are actually enjoying some semblance of summer, but autumn is nearly upon us!

My next term of Birthing classes starts Monday 9th September at Eat Train Live : Fitness & Lifestyle in St Asaph, 6.45-8.15pm.

In this 5 week course you’ll benefit from -

🍁Yoga based movements to help support your pregnant body and help prepare your body for birth
🍁Active birthing antenatal preparation to understand how your body works in labour and how you can work with it and support it
🍁Understanding what your rights and choices are during birth and how to make decisions that are best for you and your baby
🍁Time spent with other pregnant mums in your area who are going through all the physical and emotional experiences that you are, and get it
🍁Pregnancy relaxation to help with your positive mindset
🍁A trained and FEDANT qualified antenatal teacher with 7 years of experience helping pregnant mums prepare for their positive birth.

The October term is also on the website I’d you’re due in November, or even December!

I’ve popped a link in the comments to the website where you can book your space.

Happy Bump and Baby | Antenatal baby classes in Denbighshire | St Asaph, Saint Asaph, UK Happy Bump and Baby | Antenatal and baby classes in St Asaph, Denbighshire

Tuesday also saw the return of Tinies for a new term. I last saw some of these little people as bumps 🥰 We did some gentle postnatal stretching for the mums, and some baby massage for the babies, starting the term with a relaxing leg and foot massage, as well as a tummy massage for wind and constipation 🌬️ And as always in Tinies, we finished with a lovely guided postnatal relaxation, that never fails to send home relaxed and empowered mums, and flat out babies 😴

The September term of Tinies is going live for booking on the website this weekend! Keep your 👀peeled for the news that you can go and book your space!

Baby classes were back on Tuesday after 3 weeks away! It was so lovely to see how much everyone had grown, and to meet some new friends too! And as it’s the summer holidays we had big brothers and sisters come to play too, some of which used to come to classes when they were babies themselves!

Our first Wrigglers of August was a super cute lamb theme, and we played with all of our farmyard sensory toys, as well as lots of singing, baby yoga, and sensory play 🥰

The September term of Wrigglers is going live for booking on the website this weekend! Keep your 👀peeled for the news that you can go and book your space!

I’ve been away on a very sunny holiday to Spain 😎☀️🏖️ but now I’m BACK and it’s time to start getting ready for August Baby Classes! They start NEXT WEEK! Who’s looking forward to having a little bit of routine back in their lives?! 🙋‍♀️

On Tuesday it’s Wrigglers and Tinies time and there’s just TWO spaces left in each class. Head over to the website to make one of them yours!

https://happybumpandbaby.co.uk

Today is World IVF Day. Over the last 7 years of teaching antenatal classes I’ve spent time with lots of women who have welcomed babies using IVF, and I never cease to be amazed at how medical science has developed to ensure that so many babies who are so very wanted can be born. But I am also always in awe at exactly what women go through in the IVF process to be able to have those longed for babies. It’s not for the faint hearted, and shows the strength of women, and motherhood.

IVF pregnancies can be a mental struggle. If you experience any of pregnancy’s less glamorous symptoms you almost feel like you can’t moan, because you wanted this so much! I’m telling you ladies, you can definitely still moan. Wanting to be pregnant and to have a baby does not make pregnancy any less hard!

And then there’s the induction of labour conversations. So many care providers will strongly recommend that IVF pregnancies end in induction. But this recommendation is based largely on one outdated study. And is just that - a recommendation. If you want to decline induction that is still YOUR choice to make.

IVF mamas you are true warriors 💪

What was your experience of IVF and IVF pregnancy and birth? Share in the comments 😊

It was the last class of term for Tinies on Tuesday! We finished off the term with a fully body massage, and a little bit of baby yoga, getting the babies ready for moving up to Wrigglers next term 🥰

The August term of Tinies is on the website for booking now and there’s just 2 spaces left.

It was the last class of term for Wrigglers on Tuesday! (I know I’m very late posting pictures, it’s been a very busy week!) We finished off with a very cute, flowery bee theme 🐝🌸

The August term of Wrigglers is on the website for booking now, and there’s just 2 spaces left!

Head to the website to book your space.

Week 3 of Birthing classes tonight! It was pain relief week, always a week with lots of chat, questions and thought. As with anything in pregnancy and birth, it’s so important to learn all about the associated benefits and risks, so informed decisions can be made 😊

This is a question I’m getting asked a lot at the moment!

You can, of course, do both! I’ve got mums doing both at the moment, meaning you get to see my face twice a week 😜

Both classes are for new babies, aged from around 6 weeks. Tinies stops at around 4 months, and babies can come to Bath Babies until they’re 5 months.

But if you want to come to just one class, here’s some help choosing -

☀️ Tinies
- Includes gentle postnatal movements for mums
- An oil baby massage is the main chunk of the class
- Minimal sensory play - the focus is on nurturing touch
- We finish off every week with a short guided relaxation

☀️ Bath Babies
- No postnatal movements - it’s a still and calm class, and about being in the present moment
- Babies get a sensory bath each week, with gentle sensory water play that supports infant development
- There’s also a short post-bath oil massage
- We start AND finish each class with some grounding meditations, mindful breath-work, and gratitude practise.

Both classes are baby-led, mother-centred, relaxing, laidback, totally supportive of the 4th trimester, and a hot drink made for you is a given 🥰

If you didn’t want to do both classes at the same time but start coming along from when baby is at the 6 week mark (or earlier if you’re ready to be out and about) you could do one term of each, one after the other, before eventually moving on to Wrigglers 😊

Drop me a message if you have any more questions at all, or head to the website to book your space for August.