Beautiful Connections Scotland

Carly Budd Developmental Play Academy paediatric occupational therapist(and my mentor) speaks about Tummy Time and crossing your midline (that imaginary line down the middle of your babies body) how it’s important for making (beautiful) connections to both sides of the brain, important for co ordination and meeting milestones.

I teach this in my Tummy Time Workshops and also Baby Yoga Courses

All running in February
Book your spot today

https://bookwhen.com/beautifulconnections

⭐️What’s coming up in February⭐️

🌼Starting Solid Foods and Choking Awareness Workshop Friday 17 February 10-1pm at St Peters Heritage Hall Peterculter


🌼4 week Baby Yoga Course Monday 20th February 1-2pm Kinellar Community Hall

🌼Tummy Time Workshop Tuesday 21 February 10.15-11.45am at Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club Mannofield

🌼Learn Stretch & Play 4 week course Wednesday 22 February 12.30-1.30pm Milltimber Community Hall

Please get in contact if you would like more information or click the booking link in bio

Daffodils 🌼
Spring is coming!
Even got my washing hung out 🤩

Learn Stretch & Play class today we had a trip to the farm 🐮🐴
Fun Yoga stretches and massage strokes with lots of farmyard sensory play. Bubbles off course 🫧 🫧 finishing with relaxation and connection. Beautiful class with beautiful mums and babies ❤️

Tummy Time is so so important and I know lots of babies absolutely hate it (it is their first exercise after all) but engaging your baby in a few tummy time positions with sensory activities/games for periods of time throughout their day is so beneficial for their physical development, helps prevent flat head syndrome, helps develop S shape of their spine (babies are born with C shaped spines which is why they curl up in a ball for the first few months of life) and helps to strengthen core muscle, back and neck muscle which helps them achieve their gross motor movements

If you would like to learn more regarding Tummy Time I do have a TT workshop coming up in February ❤️
More information in the booking link below

https://bookwhen.com/beautifulconnections

Catherine

THIS IS WHY WE NEED TUMMY TIME FOR OUR KIDS!

"Babies NEED tummy time! At 11 months old, this little cutie should have a nicely rounded head, developed S curves in his neck and low back, and flexible legs that move in and out of various sitting positions. But, largely due to lack of time on his tummy and OVERUSE of "baby containers" such as bouncy seats, swings, and car seat carriers that go from car to grocery store to restaurant, he has positional plagiocephaly (flat skull) a big ol' C curve in his spine preventing him from getting on hands and knees to crawl, and hips and legs so tight he can't even straighten his knees! And these are only the outwardly visible problems...too much pressure on baby's spine and vision centers of the brain from lying on their backs are detrimental to development! So....tummy time, tummy time, tummy time! Do it!"

WHY DO WE USE SENSORY SCARVES?
Sensory scarves 🧣 are a key piece of our equipment, but do you know why they’re important?
1) Texture - with a light weave these scarves feel smooth to touch, with a coarseness near the edges. This change in texture helps to stimulate the nerves in finger tips ✋ (or mouths! 💋)
2) Movement - this light and airy fabric moves in a slower, 🐌 floaty, more billowing way, which makes it easier to see and focus on for developing eyes 👁️
3) Fine & gross motor skills – grasping, pincer grips, holding, waving and hand-eye coordination come into play as we practice waving scarves
3) Colour 🌈- the bright and contrasting colours of sensory scarves make them easier to see, provide contrast which helps young eyes to focus, improving muscle tone around the eyes.
4) Peekaboo 🙈 - an important game for little ones! Translucent scarves can hide you, them or objects so they can magically reappear! This helps little ones understand object permanence - that things still exist even though they can't see them!
If you'd like to join us in helping your little one's development, get in touch for more info or visit https://bookwhen.com/beautifulconnections to book a space

BURNS NIGHT SENSORY FUN
In honour of the huge Scottish event, Burns night, why not ignite your little one’s senses by exploring mashed tatties together?
So why not join in with some cooled, instant mash. Mashed potato is one of the safest foods weaning babies can explore. They may be interested in its soft squishy texture and delicious taste.
For older babies and toddlers, it can be a chance to explore textures further be a little creative, shaping and moulding the mash into new shapes.
If you don’t like mess, keep it in the kitchen, use a baking tray, and consider putting down a disposable tablecloth or invest in a shower curtain for future messy play / painting.

Many Scots celebrate the birth of Robert Burns, our most famous poet and bard with our traditional dish haggis, neeps and tatties, and maybe wash it down with Whisky and some of the bard’s poetry, on 25th January.
✅ DO YOU HAVE OLDER CHILDREN?
Visit Scotland has a downloadable activity pack for older children, including word searches, colouring sheets and activities. You can find it here (and don’t forget to share a picture of their work!)http://static.visitscotland.com/pdf/rabbie-for-kids.pdf

⭐️⭐️What’s coming up in February at Moo Music and Besutiful Connections Scotland⭐️⭐️

🐮Intergenerational Moo Thursday 2nd February 11.30-12.15pm Kingswell Care Home FULL

🐮Mixed Moo Thursday 9th February 12-12.45pm Altens Community Centre LIMITED SPACES

🐮Messy Moo Valentines Special Monday 13th February 10.30-11.30am Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club FULL

🐮Messy Moo Valentines Special Wednesday 15th February 11.30-12.30pm Beacon Sports Centre FULL

🐮Starting Solid Foods and Choking Awareness Workshop Friday 17th February 10-1pm St Peters Heritage Hall LIMITED SPACES

🐮Baby Yoga 4 week course Monday 20th February 1-2pm Kinellar Community Hall SPACES

🐮Tummy Time Workshop Tuesday 21st February 10.15-11.45am Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club SPACES

⭐️New classes added on to the weekly schedule⭐️

🐮Mixed Moo Monday 11.15-12pm Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club starting Monday 20th February

🐮MooBorn (babies 0-6 months) Tuesday 10-11.45am Danestone Church starting Tuesday 21st February

If you would like to attend any of these classes/workshops the booking link is below (or in bio)
https://bookwhen.com/beautifulconnections

Thank you for the lovely mums and babies who attended my Learn Stretch and Play class this afternoon
Great fun with baby yoga and sensory play 🫧 🫧❤️❤️

There are 2 spaces remaining if anyone would like to join us

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR
It’s more commonly known as the Lunar New Year 🌑 and is a big event in the Chinese calendar, leading to one of the biggest human migrations in the world, as workers travel home to celebrate with their families.
It's customary to give gifts of money or lucky coins in red envelopes 👛 to family & friends, have a special feast to celebrate the new year - and no celebration is complete without fireworks! 🎇
Every Chinese year is represented by an animal, this is the year of the water RABBIT! 🐇
The rabbit is known to be the luckiest 🍀 out of all the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. It symbolises mercy, elegance, and beauty. People who are born in the year of the rabbit are calm and peaceful.
Kung Hei Fat Choi (wishing you great happiness and prosperity)

Learn Stretch & Play 4 week block starts on Monday 1-2pm at
Baby yoga, massage and sensory play

Spaces available booking link below

https://bookwhen.com/beautifulconnections

YOU ARE YOUR LITTLE ONE’S FAVOURITE TOY
Ever feel under pressure to ‘entertain’ your little one in every waking moment?
Try involving them in your ‘adulting’ activities by narrating for them, passing them an object to inspect 🧐 or if they’re old enough, let them have a go.
You will introduce a new language, help them to understand the world they live in, and feel a sense of achievement and independence when they’re allowed to take on tasks.
Some of my best memories are of my parents changing the bed – flapping blankets or ‘tucking me in’ (also known as restraining 😂).
Throw the mum-guilt in the bin and try to find the fun in the boring stuff!

BLUE MONDAY OR BABY BLUES?
The third Monday in January is allegedly ‘the most depressing day of the year’ and was named Blue Monday, but what if every Monday you feel blue? And what if it’s been every Monday since you gave birth?
‘Baby Blues’ is the term given to low mood in the weeks immediately after giving birth. It’s really common and is usually a result of fluctuating hormones which tend to settle after a few weeks.
For some, this low mood carries on much longer. It may include feelings of anxiety or feeling sad, ‘down’ or ‘not yourself’ and this is called Postnatal Depression (PND).
It’s not just hormones that can cause PND, there can be many factors like lack of support, previous pregnancy issues, bereavement, a traumatic birth or even a sense of loss of identity can all contribute to PND.
Symptoms may include but are not limited to: -
💜Tiredness
💜Low mood
💜Anxiety
💜Not wanting to go out
💜Not wanting to take care of personal hygiene
💜Excessive worry
If you think you may have PND, it’s important to seek help and to make time to look after yourself.
You can speak with your GP, Health Visitor or seek support from the amazing PANDAS charity, and keep trying to get out to baby or toddler classes where you can grow your support network.
If you would like to join us at Moo Music, you can visit https://bookwhen.com/beautifulconnections to join our friendly and welcoming community of other new parents and carers.

⭐️ Starting Solid Foods and Choking Awareness Workshop⭐️
Fran and myself are teaming up again to deliver our Starting Solid Foods and Choking Awareness Workshop in February

🗓Friday 17 February 10-1pm
📍St Peter’s Heritage Hall Peterculter

Booking is now available for this workshop (link in bio)

NATIONAL KISS A GINGER DAY
Our favourite red head – Holly Hen 🐔 – is feeling the love 🧡 today on National Kiss a Ginger Day! 💋 👩‍🦰
Did you know that when you kiss someone, you BOTH produce the hormones, oxytocin (the cuddle hormone 🥰), dopamine (reward 🏆), vasopressin (a bonding hormone👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨) and serotonin (fab for mood regulation😎).
These hormones are important for building strong bonds 🤗 and attachment with your little ones (and loved ones!).
So, share the love today and get smooching! 😘

First course of the year ❤️
Thank you everyone for joining me

Anyone else absolutely enjoying Firefly Lane?? ❤️❤️ it’s the best show I’ve watched in like forever. Instead of getting up and doing yoga I lay in bed watching this 🥰

Christmas holiday crochet project complete ❤️
New blanket for my centre piece at my baby massage and baby yoga courses/classes. Look forward to showing this off ❤️❤️

My tools! A women is nothing without her tools. Meet Doug and Bob, Bob tends to come to class with me and gets to meet all the lovely families I teach and Doug spends more time at home and helps me with all my training! He’s currently helping me with my Baby Reflexology course ❤️❤️

6 week Baby Massage & Baby Yoga course starting Monday 9 January 10.11.30am at Westhill
Please get in touch for more information ❤️

When the boys were young we had this very same Jumperoo and it sat in the middle of the living room for at least a year at a time. We tripped over it, it was used as a dumping ground then the boys lost interest in it, never knew it folded until a friend came to visit and I was telling her about how annoying it can be, she just looked at me like I had two heads then went over and pushed a few buttons and wham! my day was a whole lot better 🤣🤣🤣 it got pushed behind the sofa and lived there for a few months before we eventually put it away in the loft!
Don’t suffer the lack of space, read the instructions and figure out how to fold your model down-for everyone’s sanity 🤣🤣

What are the symptoms of Colic?
•Crying
•Clenched Fists
•Red in the face
•Arching back
•Bringing Knees up to chest

Babies can be diagnosed with having colic if they have any of these symptoms for more than 3 hours a day (although it’s always evening time) 3 days a week, 3 weeks in the month (the rule of 3)
But my question is Is Colic a physical pain caused by windy bubbles in the tummy or is it an emotional pain caused by over stimulation from the day they have just had??

We discuss this at my Baby massage and Baby yoga Course, you will also be shown effective settling and soothing techniques that can be used for both physical and emotional symptoms

If you would like to know more about my course or Colic please get in touch ❤️

When do you take your Christmas tree down? 💜💜
Pop your emoji in the comments

Please tell me that everyone else’s house is looking very similar?? 😵‍💫😵‍💫
Boxing Day for chilling out, eating chocolate and surviving all the Christmas mess ❤️
Enjoy your day!

Kaitlynn and myself would like to wish all our Moo’vers past and present a lovely Christmas 🎁🎄🎅
From our house to yours 💜💜

🎄🎅Christmas Messy Moo🎄🎅

Come and join us for our final Messy Moo class of the year!
Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club at 10.30-11.30am
PAYG and price per family
Suitable from 6 months to 3 years

Booking can be made via link below 👇

https://bookwhen.com/beautifulconnections

So this happened over the last few days ❤️Fantastic two days in London celebrating a big birthday.

A great morning at our Starting Solid Foods and Choking Awareness Workshop
Thank you to all the mums and babies who braved the weather to be with us ❤️

I’ve been really quiet on Insta over the last week as I was home in Ireland celebrating my cousins wedding and since Ive got back I’ve been chasing my tail 🙈🙈 Im now caught up with all messages/emails and bookings but if I have missed you out please please give me a nudge ❤️

🌟Messy Moo🌟
🌟Farm theme🌟

Monday 28 November 11.30-12.30pm at Aberdeen Squash and Racketball Club

Tuesday 29 November 9.30-10.30am Danestone Church

PAYG with price per family ❤️

Come and join us and let us take care of the mess 💜💜