Little Petals Wellbeing

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Melbourne, VIC
Little Petals Wellbeing

Helping parents & children bond & grow together in the early years, through baby massage, baby yoga, and developmental play.

Our courses use nurturing touch, music, & play to aid development, create connections & help families feel supported. I am a mum to an 8, 6, & 3 year old. I am a qualified baby massage & baby yoga instructor, & have experience in Lamaze childbirth education. Little Petals Wellbeing aims to provide workshops and courses to the local community to nurture the bond between parents and their children through massage, gentle yoga stretches, songs, & play development.

25/05/2025

“Matrescence is the process of becoming a mother, similar to adolescence — a time of great hormonal, physical, and emotional change. It’s not a moment. It’s a journey.”
— Dr. Alexandra Sacks

We don’t talk about this enough.
The shift into motherhood isn’t something that just happens when your baby arrives.
It unfolds slowly — in your body, your identity, your relationships, your sense of self.

Matrescence gives a name to that in-between space where you might feel like you’ve lost parts of yourself… even as new ones are still forming.

There’s nothing wrong with you if you feel tender, unsure, stretched, or changed.
You’re not alone. You’re transforming.

It’s not a moment.
It’s a journey.
And you’re allowed to take your time.

20/05/2025

You don’t need a baby gym or a perfect routine to support your baby’s development.
You already have what you need — you, and the little moments you share each day.

Here’s how simple movement woven into your daily rhythm can help build strength, confidence, and connection:

✨ Nappy Change Wiggles
Before fastening the nappy, try a few gentle baby yoga stretches like knees to chest or side-to-side sways. It’s a sweet way to relieve wind and get those core muscles working!

✨ Tummy Time with a Twist
Make it playful! Lay baby on your chest, place a mirror nearby, or sing songs while they’re on the floor. Just a few minutes at a time, multiple times a day, makes a difference.

✨ Dance it Out
Pop on some music and sway around the room with your baby in your arms or carrier. The rhythm, the closeness, the movement — it’s a full-body sensory experience (and counts as bonding and a light workout for you!).

✨ Roll, Reach, Repeat
Create little “obstacle courses” using scarves, soft toys, or pillows to encourage rolling, reaching, and exploring — all building blocks for future crawling and coordination.

✨ Face-to-Face Time
Lying on the floor with baby and making silly faces, chatting, or mimicking their movements is not only adorable — it builds neck and shoulder strength, supports visual tracking, and deepens your connection.

These moments don’t need to be perfect.
They don’t need to be long.
They just need you.

Which of these do you already do?

17/05/2025

Life with a newborn is rarely a smooth return to “normal.”
It’s more like wading into new waters — sometimes calm, sometimes choppy, often unpredictable.

After four pregnancies, I’ve come to learn that finding your flow doesn’t always happen right away… and that’s okay.
Some days feel connected, others feel completely off track.
And both are part of the journey, and all of it is part of your growth.

These are three books I’ve come back to with every baby — not because they tell me how to do it perfectly, but because they hold space for the messy, human, beautiful experience of becoming a parent:

1. The Fourth Trimester by Kimberly Ann Johnson
This book feels like a wise, grounded friend. It offers powerful insight into the physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation after birth — reminding us that healing matters, and so does the mother.

2. Becoming Us: 8 Steps to Grow a Family That Thrives by Elly Taylor
This one dives into the relationship shifts that happen after baby arrives — an honest, supportive guide to staying connected, navigating new roles, and growing together as a family.

3. The Postnatal Depletion Cure by Dr. Oscar Serrallach
If you’ve ever felt like “I’m not myself since becoming a mum,” this one is for you. It puts words (and science!) to the exhaustion so many mothers feel — and offers hope and practical tools for rebuilding from the inside out.

These books have helped me honour the slow return, the identity shifts, and the deep need for care — not just for baby, but for me, too.

Whether you’re in the thick of the fourth trimester or preparing to enter it, be gentle with your heart. You’re doing something extraordinary.

Have you read any of these? What books have you read that have supported your journey? I’d love to hear

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Would you like matching story slides or carousel graphics to share the book covers and highlights from each?

10/05/2025

To all the mothers, in every form—
Today we honour you.

The tired eyes and the full hearts.
The whispered lullabies and the fierce love.
The deep breaths, the meltdowns, the giggles, the cuddles.

Whether you’re in the thick of sleepless nights, navigating toddler tantrums, or holding space for big kid emotions… your love is shaping a life, one moment at a time.

Motherhood is not always neat. It’s raw, beautiful, messy, and full of meaning.

Today, may you feel celebrated, seen, and wrapped in the love you give so freely to others.

You are doing an amazing job.
Happy Mother’s Day.

09/05/2025

At 3–6 months, your baby is moving from snuggly newborn to curious explorer — watching the world with wide eyes and slowly reaching out to join it!
But the best part? They don’t need fancy toys or high-tech gear to play.

Here’s what really supports their development at this stage:

1. Your Face and Voice
Your baby is still absolutely obsessed with you. Smile, sing, chat, and copy their coos — this back-and-forth helps build language, emotional connection, and trust.

2. Grasping Toys
Soft rattles, fabric crinkle books, or textured teething rings are perfect for tiny hands learning to grab and hold.

3. Floor Time Freedom
Let baby explore movement by lying on a soft mat — on their tummy and back. You’ll start to see rolling, reaching, and maybe even mini push-ups!

4. Mirror Play
At this stage, babies are fascinated by faces — especially their own. A baby-safe mirror encourages visual tracking and self-awareness.

5. Gentle Movement
Little stretches, baby yoga moves, or even dancing together to music can bring joy while supporting balance and body awareness.

6. Peekaboo & Cause-and-Effect Play
Simple games like peekaboo, tapping a drum, or dropping a soft toy into a bucket help them learn that what they do makes things happen — a key part of learning!

Keep it simple, keep it playful, and follow your baby’s lead.
Your time and presence are the best toys they’ll ever have 💜

What’s your baby’s favorite playtime activity right now? I’d love to hear!

07/05/2025

Have you ever watched your baby stretch after a feed or nap? Those slow, sleepy movements—arms reaching, toes curling, back arching—are more than just cute. They’re your baby’s way of building strength, body awareness, and connection with you and the world around them.

Supporting your baby’s natural movement in these early weeks doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, some of the most powerful practices are the simplest:

✨ Start with stillness – Lay baby on a soft mat or blanket on the floor. Let them move freely and observe what they do naturally. Watch how they wriggle, stretch, and settle.

🤲 Use your hands to support gentle stretches – During nappy changes or after a bath, try slowly bringing baby’s knees toward their tummy, or gently rolling their legs side to side for a calming twist. Always move in time with their breath and comfort.

💤 Incorporate small movements into daily routines – After a feed, try a few gentle shoulder rolls or stroking movements along their arms and legs. It helps with digestion and bonding.

🎶 Add voice and rhythm – Sing a simple song or hum while you stretch together. Your voice and presence are deeply soothing.

Follow along, for more tips on incorporating movement into your little ones day—designed to nurture your baby’s development and your confidence as a parent.

06/05/2025

Things I wish I knew about the fourth trimester…

That it’s okay to slow down.
That the dishes can wait, but that moment when your baby melts into your chest—don’t miss that.
That healing is more than physical, and sometimes the tears come for no reason.
That asking for help doesn’t make you weak—it makes you wise.
That every baby is different, and so am I, each time.
That love can come in a rush, or a slow bloom. Both are beautiful.

As I prepare for my fourth time walking through the fourth trimester, I carry these lessons close. I know now that I don’t need to bounce back—I just need to be held, supported, and reminded that I’m enough.

To any mama in the thick of it: you’re doing better than you think 💜

02/05/2025

Tummy time doesn’t have to feel like a battle — it can be a beautiful chance for play, laughter, and connection from day one! 🌼

Here are some fun and easy ways to make tummy time a little more joyful at home:
🐻 Start Small: A minute or two after every nappy change is a perfect beginning. Little and often builds strength without overwhelm.
🎶 Sing and Talk: Get down at eye level and chat, sing, or make funny faces — your baby will love hearing your voice and seeing your smile!
🧸 Use a Prop: Roll up a small towel under their chest and arms to help lift them up and make it easier to look around.
🌟 Tummy to Chest: You can also lay back and let your baby practice tummy time on your chest — a cozy, comforting place to build strength!
📚 Storytime on the Tummy: Prop up a colorful book in front of them to spark curiosity and keep them engaged.
🐾 Bring in Some Friends: Place soft toys or a mirror nearby to encourage reaching, pushing, and looking around.

Tummy time helps build head control, strengthens little muscles, and even supports rolling, crawling, and sitting later on.
Every minute counts — and every little giggle makes it even sweeter!

Does your little one have a favorite tummy time toy yet? Share below — I love hearing your baby play favorites!

30/04/2025

From the moment your baby enters the world, touch becomes one of the most powerful ways you communicate love, safety, and connection. 💜

In those early days, a gentle hand on their chest, a soft stroke along their back, or simply holding them close says: “You are safe. You are loved.”
Touch isn't just comforting — it helps regulate your baby's heartbeat, body temperature, breathing, and even supports healthy brain development.

Here are some simple ways to use touch intentionally:
🤲 Skin-to-Skin Cuddles: A few minutes each day can boost bonding hormones for both you and your baby.
🧸 Gentle Baby Massage: Simple strokes can help with sleep, digestion, and emotional security.
💤 Hand-on-Heart Moments: When soothing your baby to sleep, place your hand lightly over their chest — your steady presence can be the greatest comfort.

In a world full of noise, touch reminds your baby they are never alone.
Sometimes, the softest gestures leave the deepest imprint.

Were skin-to-skin cuddles part of your early days? I'd love to hear your special moments.

29/04/2025

Join Fairy Mary's Make-Believe this term Mt Evelyn Community House and Reading Room.

28/04/2025

Pregnancy is a beautiful season of waiting, wondering, and weaving a bond with your little one long before you meet face-to-face.
You don’t have to do anything big or complicated to create connection — small, simple rituals can be powerful and grounding.

Here are a few gentle ways you might like to connect:
✨ Daily Belly Breaths: Take a few minutes each day to place your hands on your belly and breathe deeply, imagining your breath surrounding your baby with love.
✨ Talk or Sing to Your Baby: Babies begin to recognize voices from around 25 weeks. Reading a short story, singing a lullaby, or simply chatting about your day can start building that beautiful familiarity.
✨ Evening Gratitude Moments: Each night, think of one thing you're grateful for about this journey — even on the tough days. Write it down or whisper it to your bump.
✨ Create a "Baby Playlist": Gather songs that feel special to you during this season — a playlist you can play now and after baby arrives.
✨ Nurturing Touch: A gentle belly massage with oil or lotion can be a beautiful way to honor your changing body and deepen your connection with your baby.

Connection doesn’t have to wait until the birth — it starts right here, in the quiet moments you're already sharing.
Which ritual speaks to you most today? I'd love to hear!

21/04/2025

🤰Taking a Little Pause for a Big Reason 👶

As I prepare to welcome our newest little love into the world, it’s time for me to take a step back and embrace the season of slowing down.

I’ll be on maternity leave from term 2, taking time to rest, nest, and soak up those first precious moments with our baby.

I’m so grateful for this beautiful community and all the families who have shared their parenting journey with me. Your support means the world, and I can’t wait to return with even more love, ideas, and offerings when the time is right.

Until then, I’ll still be sharing tips, a few gentle updates and reflections here when it feels right — but mostly, I’ll be leaning into this pregnancy, the cuddles, chaos, and cups of (probably cold) tea.

Thank you for being part of my world — I’ll see you soon.

With love,
Jen x

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Address

Melbourne, VIC

Website

http://www.littlepetalswellbeing.com.au/, https://linktr.ee/littlepetalswellbeing

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