Benefits: All stretches with legs are good for the digestive system, helping to relieve colic and constipation. Baby may release some wind at this point. These stretches also strengthen the legs, relieve the spine and open the hips. Encourage mums to repeat any words or phrases used to encourage language development.
Caution: As with all yoga, apply a little pressure but never force and
if baby resists then leave it until they are ready.

Tree Climber
With baby on their back, hold one leg down by placing a hand loosely over the knee and holding the other leg by the shin. Then gently bend the knee and press it into the side of the abdomen. Hold this position for approximately 5 seconds then repeat 2 or 3 times on each leg.

Marching
Hold baby by the fleshy part of the legs on the shin/calves which should be a little more than hip distance apart. Bending the knees, march the legs alternately in and out pressing the knees to the sides of the abdomen. As one leg bends in, the other leg is stretched out. Repeat the words: “March, march, march, march, march!”

Leg Presses
With baby lying on their back place the palm of your hand onto baby’s foot. Apply a bit pressure then release and repeat on the other foot, then try with two hands together. We are looking for baby to push back and perhaps kick.
Benefits: Strengthens legs and gives body awareness.

Over the hills
Take baby by the fleshy part of the legs on the shin/calves with their knees together, press the knees into the abdomen then take them over to the right, straighten legs out and bring down. Repeat twice on each side. Repeat the words: “In, over, out and round.”

Squatting Frog
Hold baby by the fleshy part of the legs on the shin/calves which should be a little more than hip distance apart, then press both knees into the sides of the abdomen, then release for a few seconds but leave the hands on legs and repeat 3 or 4 times.
Repeat the words: “In and out.”

Tummy Press

Hold baby by the legs on the fleshy parts of the shin/calves with the legs together then gently push the knees into the abdomen and release, repeat this 3 or 4 times. Repeat the words: “In and out”.

Washer wheels
Hold baby by the lower legs, with the knees together gently press the legs into tummy and circle with the knees in an anti-clockwise direction and ending in a clockwise direction massaging the tummy. Repeat a few times. Repeat the words: “Round and round and round.”
Caution: Stop if resistance.
Benefits: Good for digestion, hips and colic.

Hip Hop Frog
Hold baby by the lower legs and start with the legs hip width apart, gently press the knees into the tummy then bring the knees together and extend the legs towards you. Part the legs the legs to hip distance again and repeat 4 or 5 times. Repeat the words: “In, together, down and out.”
Caution: Stop if resistance.
Benefits: Good for digestion, hips, colic and strengthen the legs.

Reverse Hip Hop Frog
Hold baby by the lower legs and holding the knees together gently push into the tummy. Bring the knees out to hip width apart, then bring them down and bring feet back together. Repeat 4 or 5 times. Repeat the words: “Together in, out and down.”
Caution: Stop if resistance.
Benefit: Good for digestion, hips, colic and strengthens legs.

Swinging Hips

Hold baby by the shins, bend the knees and press into the tummy, then gently rock the knees from side to side
massaging the tummy and release. Repeat the words: “Side to side.”
Benefits: Good for digestion, hips, colic
and strengthens legs.

Spinal Stretch
Hold baby by the legs on the shin/calves with legs together. Gently push the knees over to the left extending the legs out straight then hold the legs down whilst massaging the baby’s right shoulder. Perform three times on each side. Repeat the words: “In over and tickle my shoulder.” You can also do this exercise by holding legs with one hand and a puppet on one finger of the other hand to encourage baby to turn their head the opposite way to the legs. Repeat on the other side.
Benefits: Immune and nervous systems, flexibility of the hips and
spine, maintains suppleness and general well-being.
Caution: Not for babies with any spinal or hip problems.