Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous time over the holiday break! I’m sure like me you’ve come up with some new years resolutions, but, although some won’t come to pass (as much as we like), certainly one thing will be in focus no matter what – your developing babies health.

Which is why this issue of the LITTLE INNOSCENTS NEWSLETTER will focus in on health, with research into baby massage, massage techniques, handy health web links and a treat recipe. We also have an exciting announcement – a new addition to our sponsored charities.

ENJOY! Antonette

LITTLE INNOSCENTS MASSAGE OIL

A multi-purpose product using all natural rich essential oils, this MASSAGE OIL adds natural protection to the skin and is moisture intensive.  Combining the natural properties and divine scents of Sweet Orange, Lemongrass, Spearmint and Lavender essential oils this is heaven in a bottle.  This beautiful blend is deeply hydrating and suitable for all ages and skins- plus it smells AMAZING! This month we are offering 20% off our MASSAGE OIL to make your little one feel and smell fabulous.  Just enter the promotional code LIS-OIL in the shopping cart to receive this discount.    *offer expires 31/01/2010. GO TO OUR ONLINE STORE

 

 

In developing the baby massage oil in our range we have come across some amazing research. Here’s just a snippet…

• The infants who experienced massage therapy spend more time in active alert and active awake states, cry less, and have lower stress levels (1)   • Over the 6-week period, massage-therapy infants gained more weight, showed greater improvement on emotionality, sociability, and soothability temperament dimensions (1)   • Vagal (heart) activity increased following massage with oil versus massage without oil (2)   • Vagal activity is associated with both infant physical growth and emotional and social development (3)

 

 

1) Field, T., Grizzle, N., Scafidi, F. Abrams, S., Richardson, S., Kuhn, C., & Schanberg, S. (1996). Massage therapy for infants of depressed mothers. Infant Behavior and Development, 19, 107-112.2) Field, T., Schanberg, S., Davalos, M., & Malphurs, J. (1996). Massage with oil has more positive effects on normal infants. Pre and Perinatal Psychology Journal, 11, 75-80. 3) Infant Behav Dev. 2008 Sep;31(3):361-73. Epub 2008 Mar 4. Vagal activity, early growth and emotional development. Field T, Diego M.

 

 

 

Place the massage oil in the hands and rub vigorously - this warms the liquid

 

Start with your baby’s legs…..

 

Nurse the foot with one hand and gently “milk” the leg from ankle to thigh with the other.

 

Next, holding the foot with both hands, use a gentle squeezing and twisting action, moving upwards from foot to thigh.

 

To finish, stroke from foot to the top of the thigh. Repeat all techniques on the opposite leg.

Next, move onto the tummy…..

 

Using both hands, palms flat, in a hand-over-hand clockwise circular motion, from left to right.

 

To relieve a bloated stomach, using your fingertips ‘walk’ in a clockwise circular motion around the belly.

 

To massage the chest, glide both hands outwards from the centre of the ribcage up to the shoulders and back again

 

‘Bicycling’ the legs after this massage can also relieve pain. Always stop if a child becomes distressed or uncomfortable.

 

For the arms and hands…..

 

Nurse the babies hand with one hand and gently “milk” the arm from wrist to shoulder with the opposite hand.

 

Next, holding the babies arm with both your hands, use a gentle squeezing and twisting action, moving upwards from wrist to shoulder.

 

To finish, stroke from wrist to the top of the shoulder. Repeat all techniques on the opposite arm.

Finally, the back…

 

Gently turn your baby onto his/her tummy for the back massage.

 

With your finger tips, gently massage little circles all over the back.

 

Lastly, use the waterfall stroke, which is palm of hand over hand moving from neck to feet continuously and slowly.

At the end of this beautiful massage, it is lovely to give your baby a cuddle.

 

Giving a massage before bed is a great part of your bedtime routine, helping your baby to relax and settle for bed.

WEBSITES LITTLE INNOSCENTS LOVES IN JANUARY

 

	Go for 2 & 5 Neat ways to get more fruit and vegies into your day and super fast tasty recipes for little ones.
	Victorian Government Better Health Channel Fact sheets from a reliable source on any health issue - Crying, sleeping, naming and genetic issues just to name a few.
	ABC Parenting Comprehensive and factual content about babies and children – videos, pictures, stories, fact sheets, forums – everything!

COCONUT, CHOCOLATE and BANANNA MINI MUFFINS

Healthier alternative to store bought treats

Ingredients 125g unsalted butter, melted 3/4 cup caster sugar 3 ripe bananas, roughly chopped 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 cups self-raising flour, sifted 1 cup desiccated coconut 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips Icing sugar, to dust

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C and grease a 12-hole mini-muffin pan.
2. Process butter, caster sugar, banana, eggs and vanilla in a food processor until well combined.
3. Place flour, coconut and chocolate in a large bowl, then fold in banana mixture.
4. Working in batches, place dessertspoons of mixture into pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until risen and golden.
5. Cool slightly in pan, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve dusted with icing sugar.

Makes: 36
(www.taste.com.au)

 

 

LITTLE INNOSCENTS proudly supports Back Packs for Aussie Kids

 

‘Imagine being taken from your home by strangers (police or DOCS) with nothing  but the clothes you are wearing or possibly a rubbish bag hastily stuffed with clothes or toys and then being sent off to live with strangers. Or being in care with one family for a month or so and then being moved on to the next one. Some of these kids have nowhere to call home.”

 

It’s with this sentament in mind that Despina Parakas from www.backpacksforaussiekids.com.au has created her charity which gives out backpacks filled with basics that some of our babies will take for granted like - p.j.'s, a little blanket, clothes, books and a toy.

 

Little Innoscents is proud to announce that they have donated product packs to go in 150 backpacks, which will go out with all littlest of the children this year. 

 

This follows with our charity inititiave to donate where possible our products.

 

If you can think of any other charities which can benefit for our help please drop us an email at antonette@littleinnoscents.com.au.

 

 

 

 

We hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter, and just remember - if you would like to send anything in to be featured please email marketing@littleinnoscents.com.au