Interview with Daisy Foundation Hampshire South Coast Teachers

We're so happy to have such a great selection of sponsors for our conference and market place event. We will be interviewing them all over the next weeks and months. In our first interview we talk to the Daisy Foundation Hampshire South Coast Teachers. 

What are the main benefits of Daisy Foundation Classes for pregnant and new mums?

There are so many benefits for mums! For pregnant mums we help ease the aches and pains of pregnancy, we prepare body and mind for birth, and we help to demystify birth, taking away the common fears and worries. We teach them how their bodies work and how to work with their bodies during labour - simple knowledge and understanding that can have a big impact on their birth experience. For new mums our classes provide a safe space to just 'be' with baby, building a support network and learning songs, rhymes, massage and movement to use at home. These methods of verbal and non-verbal communication help mum to understand baby’s behaviors, cries and language so that baby feels loved, valued and respected. Positive touch and movement between mum and baby helps nurture positive attachment, bonding, closeness and gives mums confidence to respond to baby’s cues and needs.

What are the benefits for babies?

By combining baby massage and movement, babies enjoy greater benefit from some of the more practical techniques such as relief from colic, wind, constipation and teething discomfort to the longer term benefits such as secure attachment, reducing emotional distress, improved co-ordination, physical development, body awareness and brain development.  Wrigglers and Cruisers classes for older babies are designed to encourage the development of hand and eye co-ordination, fine and gross motor skills, speech, listening, visual development, play and laughter.

Are there any specific situations in pregnancy or for mums where Daisy classes can really help?

Daisy classes are suitable for all mums, whatever their previous history, birth plans or parenting style. However, they can be especially beneficial to anyone feeling particularly nervous or anxious about birth or parenthood. By providing information and a support network, mums start to feel more confident in themselves and their ability to give birth and be a mum.

Do you have any hints or tips for pregnant women or mums to help them look after themselves, their physical health and their mental health?

Taking time out is so important during pregnancy and in the early days of motherhood (and beyond!). We lead such busy lives that we rarely sit down and truly relax - there's always something to do or someone else to look after. Mums-to-be need to take the time to rest, allow their bodies and minds to relax, and ensure they eat and drink well. For new mums they need that time to allow their bodies to recover from 9 months of pregnancy, to allow their minds to adjust to their new lives and to give themselves some space, even if it's just 5 minutes to drink a cup of tea. And for all mums, building a support network is crucial, be it through organisations such as the Positive Birth Movement, through antenatal and baby classes such as those The Daisy Foundation offer, or through existing friends and family. Having someone to offload onto and call on for help makes a massive difference!

What sort of training do you do as a Daisy Teacher? Is there a way mums can find out what training levels the person running their antenatal or baby class has? 

All Daisy Foundation teachers have completed in-depth practical training, home-study, coursework and assessment through The Daisy Foundation in order to deliver the FEDANT approved classes. Anyone wanting to find out more can contact The Daisy Foundation HQ direct via the website. 

We asked a mum who has been to Daisy Classes what it was like for her and if she would recommend them to other mums.
​I absolutely love the daisy foundation and the classes offered are fantastic! I first went to the daisy classes, run but the very calm and very lovely Sarah Lewis, during my first pregnancy. It was just what I needed; the right mix of education for making informed choices, breathing techniques, relaxation and building a positive mindset for birth, especially as I was planning a first time Home birth. We even had a 1:1 session in my house to bring my partner up to speed, which was invaluable to prepare him too. Once baby was born (at home, as planned) I attended: first Teenies, where we learned lovely massage techniques and met other new mums (who were still friends with two years on), then wrigglers, where we played and stimulated the babies with rhymes and gentle activities. It was such a great set of classes to introduce babies to the world and were so lovely and calm too - just what you need before hitting the crazy toddler sessions as they grow! As soon as I became pregnant the second time round, I went straight back for birthing classes and really valued time to focus on number 2 and get my head back in the right headspace for doing it all over again. We had another lovely Home birth, in the water this time, and are currently doing teenies classes again as they’re just so lovely! I’ve recommended Daisy to lots of my friends and they all absolutely love the sessions with their babies and have hugely valued the birthing classes too! If I had a third, I’d definitely be back doing it all over again! Amazing, supportive and welcoming sessions for both Mum and baby! 

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