Baby Sensory Classes Folkestone and Dover

You don’t need to put extra time aside for sensory play with your baby.

Routine activities such as feeding, nappy changing, dressing, bathing, cuddling, carrying and preparing for sleep all provide opportunities for sensory development.

Likewise, any kind of outing including trips to the supermarket, walks in the park, visiting friends and activities such as swimming all stimulate your baby's senses.

To find out more about how to stimulate your baby's sense and sensory play read our latest blog: https://www.babysensory.com/sensoryplayfrombirth

Source: Dr Lin Day article

👶 Continue your baby's sensory adventures at home with our Baby Sensory® Bundle!

Every bundle* includes:

-a maraca
-a chiffon scarf
-a ring my bell
-a ring handled dance ribbon

These items support your baby's development in a variety of ways including promoting hand-eye coordination, listening skills & eye tracking.

The bundle also includes some fantastic cards with information about each item, written by our founder Dr. Lin Day

Grab yours today from our Baby Sensory® online shop: www.babysensoryshop.co.uk

*Please note that adult supervision is always required when using the items within this bundle. Please do not leave your baby unattended with these items.

How do you like to play with your baby?

Our Founder, and leading parenting expert, Dr Lin Day is a big advocate of playing with your baby and encouraging your baby to play.

She has done a huge amount of research into baby play and knows just how important it is to a baby's development.

This is because play is how babies learn about the world, themselves, other people and their own culture.

It also lays the foundation for reading, writing, mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, language, and scientific discovery. WOW!

However, it doesn't matter how you play with your baby. Play can be quiet or noisy, energetic, or passive, social, or non-social, relaxed, or serious, imaginative or purposeful. It can involve baby toys or no toys at all!

All types of play will support your baby's development and help them to make sense of the world around them.

Source: Dr Lin Day article

Never ever worry about feeding your baby during your Baby Sensory® class.

You are welcome to feed your baby however, wherever and whenever you wish.

It doesn't matter whether you're breastfeeding, formula feeding, combination feeding, feeding sat on the floor, feeding sat on a chair, feeding with a cover-up on, feeding at the start of the class or feeding all the way through the class...
..what's most important is that you and your baby are comfortable and happy ❤️

*For World Breastfeeding Week we've included this fabulous photo of two of our Baby Sensory® class leaders breastfeeding their babies whilst on a recent photoshoot!

☀️With the summer holiday's fast approaching you can continue to practise your baby signing, even if your classes take a break over the holidays.

Simply download our Baby Sensory signbook app to help you.

The app includes clear and simple videos of each individual sign for you to practise in your own time and at your own pace.

These egg shakers are a fantastic alternative to other baby rattles and shakers.

They are ideal for helping your baby to grip everyday objects of different shapes, as well as stimulating their sense of sound.

Suitable from 6 months and available in 3 different colours, you can purchase yours from our Baby Sensory online shop today: www.babysensory.co.uk

During your baby's first year their brain absorbs, processes and interprets information at a phenomenal rate.

So, whilst it might sound a bit advanced to be teaching your tiny baby to count, it’s the opportune time for them to start learning about numbers, because they are taking in so much information.

Our Founder, and leading parenting expert, Dr Lin Day advises that "there are many opportunities to introduce babies to the sounds of numbers from an early age".

These include:

-Singing nursery rhymes such as 1,2,3,4,5 once I caught a fish alive.
-Counting blocks as you stack them.
-Putting pegs into a pegboard and counting as you go.
-Counting as you go up and down the stairs at home.
-Reading stories that include numbers such as "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" or "Three Little Pigs"

Although you will likely be unable to tell what your baby is taking in and understanding at such an early age, giving babies the opportunity to see maths through play helps them to build interest for future learning.

They also gain an understanding of order, for example knowing that two comes after one and that four comes after three and so on.

Source: taken from article by Dr Lin Day

When will my baby walk?

The short answer is when they are ready! Babies generally have their own timetables that can't be rushed.

Some babies walk as early as 8 months and others as late as 2 years, however most take their first steps towards the end of their first year.

Premature babies generally walk later than full term babies of the same age because this skill is usually achieved at the age they would have been, had they been born at term and sometimes later.

If your baby isn't yet walking and you are concerned, talk to your health visitor who will likely be able to reassure you.

You can also read more about how your baby will learn to walk and the steps you can take to encourage them to take their first steps in our latest blog: https://www.babysensory.com/firststepsforbaby

Source: taken from article by Dr Lin Day

🎵Add some fun to long car journeys this summer with Baby Sensory's Sunshine music album.

With a mix of upbeat and relaxing tunes, this music will be loved by babies, toddlers & families alike.

🎶Each song has been carefully composed by our Founder, and leading parenting expert, Dr Lin Day, for your enjoyment.

Download today on Spotify, Amazon Music or Apple Music.

Today we're celebrating all of the Dads, the Grandads & Grandpa's and any other significant male role models in your baby's life ❤️

Because men are just as important as women in a child's life. And just as capable.

Our Founder, and leading parenting expert, Dr Lin Day has found that dads and other male role models often have different styles of nurturing and communicating to Mums which can really benefit babies and children in the following ways:

-better social, emotional and intellectual development

-positive impact on behaviour which leads to happier and more productive children

-encourages exploratory skills which help independence

-different ways of playing encourage problem-solving skills and greater creativity

Tag a Dad here to let them know just how wonderful they are ❤️ 💙 💛 💚

🥦 🥦 Healthy Habits 🥦 🥦
It's not too soon to start healthy habits...

Our latest blog focuses on how you can best support the development of your baby and create healthy habits that last a lifetime: https://www.babysensory.com/brainfood

As parents we only want what's best for our baby or child. But sometimes that's difficult when life gets so busy. The more healthy habits we can create the better, because once things become a habit we are more likely to stick to them AND the more likely our babies and children are to copy them too.

It's not just eating healthily that will support the development of our babies...there are lots of other things too. Check out our latest blog to find out more.

🌈 ❤️ 🌈
Do you know the sign for rainbow? (Don't worry if you don't - we can help).

Our Baby Sensory Signbook app includes the sign for rainbow (along with many others) so you can learn and practise at home with your baby. an

Download our fantastic app today. And do keep an eye on our social media pages over the month of June for some lovely summer time signs and songs!

🌈 🌈 Twist, shake, spin and wave! 🌈 🌈

Our multi-coloured ring handled dance ribbon* is the perfect prop for sensory at home playtime with your baby.

The movement of this ribbon stimulates the visual part of your baby's brain and supports the development of eye tracking and eye teaming.

Buy yours today from our online shop: www.babysensoryshop.co.uk or ask your class leader.

*This a prop and not a toy. Never leave baby unattended with this prop.

All babies cry.

It's the only way they can communicate and try to tell us what they need.

But sometimes our baby crying can leave us feeling overwhelmed or worried.

If you're feeling like this, then rest assured you aren't alone.

In the early weeks and months, crying often peaks at certain times of the day, during which time your baby may want to be fed or held constantly. That's totally normal.

However the more you get to know your baby the more you will begin to recognise their cues, signals and different cries. This should make it easier to work out what they want!

To find out more about the different reasons babies cry head to our latest blog:

Understanding and Soothing Your Baby's Cries: A Comprehensive Guide Becoming a parent is an incredible journey filled with joy, wonder, and yes, a fair share of challenges. One of the most universal experiences parents face is the sound of their baby crying. From the moment they enter the world, crying is how babies communicate their needs and feelings. As parents,....

Want to know the easiest way to learn baby signing?
Download our Baby Sensory Signbook app!

With this app you can explore the magic of signing through clear videos presented by our very own class practitioners!

The signs are easy to follow and can even be paused or slowed down so you can learn at a pace that suits you.

Download today via your App Store.

Please don't worry if you don't immediately bond with your baby. This is totally normal for many parents.

Bonding can happen in many ways and at many different times.

There is no evidence that bonding begins at birth. Parent-baby bonding is extremely complicated and there are many reasons why relationships take time to grow and develop.

For some parents, the first smile is when they fall in love with their baby for the first time.

For others, strong affection develops when they find out what makes their baby feel happy and secure.

Some parents feel closer to their baby once a regular routine & sleeping pattern is established.

And sometimes, the depth of love and feeling grows when a baby becomes more amenable, sociable or mobile.

Like any relationship, emotional ties take time to grow and develop.

And there is plenty of research to suggest that parents separated from their babies soon after the birth, parents who don't bond straight away or parents who adopt babies much later, can still develop enormously close, loving relationships too.

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If you think you, or a friend or relative, may have postnatal depression (PND) it is important to seek help as quickly as possible.

In the first instance visiting your GP is the best thing to do. GPs usually use a short questionnaire to help confirm the condition. They may also suggest a blood test to eliminate any other underlying physical problems (such as anaemia) that could be causing symptoms similar to PND.

Aim to eat regular, well-balanced, healthy meals, stay hydrated and rest when you can as these are all important for emotional health, strength and energy.

It can also be worth trying complementary therapies such as massage, yoga, aromatherapy and acupuncture which can help relieve stress.

Regular exercise (eg walking, swimming, jogging etc) can boost mood and wellbeing too (but be sure not to over-do it, especially if you are in the very early postpartum period).

Getting extra support and help with looking after your baby, reducing commitments, getting out and about, going out for a meal or having fun with family and friends, can also be effective in reducing postnatal depression.

Talking to other parents at local baby groups or play groups can be helpful too. They can often provide lots of support & reassurance as many parents will be going through the same challenges.

Speaking to a psychologist who specialises in PND can be extremely helpful. They will listen to how you feel and offer ways to help you through this difficult time.

In some more severe or long-term cases of PND, your GP may advise taking anti-depressants in combination with other treatments. This doesn't mean you need to stay on them forever. As your symptoms improve you will likely be able to lower the dosage, until you no longer need them.

Save this post should you need it ❤️

This week is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which is a week-long campaign dedicated to talking about mental health problems before, during and after pregnancy and the theme is "Rediscovering You."

Maternal mental health problems are the most common serious complication of pregnancy and the postnatal period worldwide. Despite this, it continues to be an overlooked area for research and service investment.

If you are struggling don't hesitate to reach out to your class leaders.

Finding time for yourself can be incredibly difficult for many (new) parents and looking for ways to look after yourself is really important... topics will be looked at all week via Maternal Mental Health Alliance s where you may find useful advice and help if you're struggling. https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/maternal-mental-health-awareness-week/

We’re proud to work in partnership with Tommy's .
Tommy's Pregnancy Hub is sharing advice and information on how to take care of your mental health during pregnancy and after birth.

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/mental-health-wellbeing

For those who have previously been through loss or had a traumatic birth, we know you might
need extra support if you’re expecting again. And, as always, baby loss support resources are available whenever you need them on https://www.tommys.org/.

Let's talk TUMMY TIME!

Babies need to be on their tummies in order to go through the fundamental movement patterns (for example, raising the head, creeping, and crawling), which stimulate both sides of the brain.

Did you know that in 2020, The World Health Organisation recommended that non-mobile babies should spend at least 30 minutes on their tummies, spread throughout the day when awake?

If you're the parent of a new baby that might be easier said than done! Some babies love tummy time, whilst others aren't so keen and take a while to get used to it. We give you plenty of ideas for Tummy Time in our classes but here are a few reminders of some activities you can try at home this weekend.

1. Place a safety mirror or favourite toy a few inches from your baby’s head and call their attention to it. Your baby will lift their head and reach out in different directions, which develops the muscles needed for rolling over.

2. Place your baby on a colourful quilt with squeaky toys attached. Remove your baby's socks so he can get good traction on the play mat.

3. One of the best strategies is to keep your baby company on the floor. Coo, sing or make funny sounds to encourage them to lift their head.

4. Lie on your back and place your baby face down on your chest. Call his or her name to encourage them to raise their head to get a better look at you.

5. Place a rolled-up towel under your baby’s chest. This supported position allows your baby to lift their head & look around and improves focus.

6. Put your baby on his tummy over a large ball and hold them firmly while you gently rock the ball back and forth. Your baby will learn to shift their body weight, which improves balance and coordination.

Are you weaning your baby and feeling worried about allergies?

This week is Allergy Awareness Week and is all about raising awareness of allergies to the UK population and encouraging them to take allergies seriously.

To help support you in your weaning journey we've put together a blog with information about the 3 types of food allergies, the 14 major food allergens you need to be aware of and what to do if you suspect your baby may be having an allergic reaction to a particular food: https://www.babysensory.com/allergies

You can also follow for more information on allergies, weaning and children's first aid.

Aren't babies amazing?

It is incredible to think that during the first year, babies learn more than at any other time in their lives!

Researchers have found that by a baby's first birthday their brain has doubled in volume as a direct result of the trillions of connections made between brain cells.

That's why our Founder, and leading parenting expert, Dr Lin Day believes "it is so important to introduce a rich variety of sensory experiences whenever your baby is alert and ready to play."

What amazes you about your baby?

Add some colour and fun to this years’ April showers with our Twist & Shake rainmaker.

This bright, colourful toy makes a beautiful rain sound and is the perfect toy for introducing your baby or child to music from an early age.

Our Twist & Shake rainmaker is also easy grip to develop grasping skills and hand-eye coordination.

To buy one for your baby visit www.babysensoryshop.co.uk