Welcome this meditation is for caregivers to reset and remain calm when caring for crying babies.
Pause this meditation for a moment and make sure that baby is in a safe place where you can leave them alone for a few minutes such as an empty crib.
If they are safe and you're able to step away for a moment to a quieter place or perhaps use earphones to help you go inward.
We will be using tapping a practice that helps reduce anxiety and calm the nervous system so you will need your hands free.
Feel free to sit or lie down in a comfortable position and let's begin with a deep calming breath and an open mouth exhale.
Place your hands on your belly and feel it expand as you breathe deeply.
Caring for an infant can be challenging at times.
Research shows that our bodies and brains respond to infant crying within seconds.
Even though we may know that crying is the only way that babies can communicate,
Our bodies have a physiological reaction when babies cry and that's normal but this response may become distressing if we are unable to respond or calm them for extended periods of time as may happen with colicky babies.
If you have checked that baby's needs are met,
They're fed,
Rested,
Changed,
Comfortable in their clothes and temperature,
Not overstimulated and you're trying to soothe them but they're crying unconsolably,
You may just need to be a calm presence accompanying them.
To help release any tension or anxiety this might bring up for you,
We will tap several times on nine spots across the body that correspond to the midridians in acupressure while I repeat several affirmations.
First let's begin by bringing your hands up to the top of your head and gently tapping on your crown five or so times.
This is not an emergency,
Baby is safe.
Second,
Moving both hands by your eyebrows,
Tap on the inside points where each eyebrow begins.
I am a safe and calm presence for baby.
Third,
Moving your hands to your temples and using two fingers gently tap your temples with both hands.
This is a phase it will not last forever.
Fourth,
Moving to the bone just below your eyes,
Tap underneath your eye.
My job is to be present,
Calm and ensure needs are met even if baby continues to cry.
Fifth,
Move your hands to the space between your nose and upper lip.
Using two fingers gently tap several times.
By being a calm presence I am helping my baby co-regulate and establishing trust and attachment.
Sixth,
Moving down to below your mouth gently tap.
It's okay for me to ask for help.
Seventh,
Moving to just beneath your collarbone with both hands gently tap several times about an inch from the center on either side.
This is not an emergency,
Baby is safe.
Eight,
Now move your hands down to your sides and tap about four inches below your armpits.
This is a phase it will not last forever.
And lastly,
Tap the outer edge of each palm several times using your full hand in a karate chop motion.
I am a safe and calm presence for baby.
Now take a moment to take a deep breath and a strong open mouth exhale.
Thank you for taking this time in with me to calm your nervous system so that you can be a calm and soothing presence for baby.
May you and baby be well.
