​Your trapezius muscles, or "traps," form a cape across your upper back, running from your skull and the spine of your neck and upper back to your shoulder blades and collar bones. The upper traps shrug your shoulders toward your ears. The middle traps pull your shoulder blades toward the spine, while the lower traps draw them down your back.
Trap pain is classic stress pain. Your shoulders ache, your neck hurts and it is often deep and achy. You may have a headache, especially in the temples or behind your eyes or at the base of your skull. You may feel burning between your shoulder blades after sitting at your computer without elbow support.

So what causes it and what can you do?

• Sit up straight. Your mother was right! Bad, slouching posture is a big culprit.
• Carry a heavy bag over one shoulder.  Check your handbag/nappy bag and try to eliminate things that are not essential. Alternatively get a backpack.
• Stress! Breath, relax your shoulders, try to shake your body loose when the panic sets in. Try to have a daily ritual where you consciously unwind, whether it be a bath, exercise or even a well deserved glass of wine! (Sorry preggies!!) Schedule a massage (Massage Mama comes to your home so you can maximize your me time!)
• Bad bras. Check your bra size with a professional, particularly during the pre & postnatal period there are lots of changes and your bra may be working against you at this point.
• Incorrect baby feeding position. Make sure baby is well supported on a ergonomic feeding pillow and use extra pillows under your elbows for support.
• Sleeping on your tummy. I know it feels wonderful, I'm very guilty of this one myself, but it's terrible for your neck. If you have a tendency to roll in your sleep, pop a pillow between your knees in a side lying position. It'll stop you rolling and actually provides excellent support for your hips, saving your lower back from twisting while you sleep.
• Poor positioning at your desk. Google it if you need some tips and pay attention to what heights feel comfortable. You should be sitting straight and comfortably, supported by your chair. The keyboard at a good height so your neck is not bent and your elbows supported by armrests.
• Pregnancy back pain is unfortunately fairly common. Stretching, yoga and pregnancy massage are very helpful to manage and minimize it, but with the growing belly and loosening ligaments some discomfort is not unusual. 

Tight traps respond extremely well to a good massage so, if things have gotten tight and uncomfortable book a session rebalance your body and relieve the pain.

Massage Mama offers a range of relaxing massage treatments in the comfort and convenience of your home.

Mastitis is an painful infection usually caused by a build up of milk in the breast. Left untreated it can progress quickly and even require hospitalization. It is often initially overlooked as mom is tired and run down post birth and adjusting to life with a newborn. It is so important that moms take time out to take care of themselves during the postnatal period. 

If you are experiencing any of the following accompanied by a fever, headache, and body aches, contact your doctor immediately.

• a red, swollen area on your breast that may feel hot and painful to touch.
• a breast lump or area of hardness on your breast.
• a burning pain in your breast that may be continuous, or may only occur when you are breastfeeding.
• nipple discharge, which may be white or contain streaks of blood

In breastfeeding women, mastitis is often caused by a build-up of milk within the breast. This is known as milk stasis.
Milk stasis can occur for a number of reasons, including:

• a baby not properly attaching to the breast during feeding
• a baby having problems sucking
• infrequent feeds or missing feeds

In some cases, this build-up of milk can also become infected with bacteria. This is known as infective mastitis.
In non-breastfeeding women, mastitis most often occurs when the breast becomes infected as a result of damage to the nipple, such as a cracked or sore nipple, or a nipple piercing.
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​It is critical that you take care of yourself during the postnatal period. There is so much focus on caring for baby that moms so often forget how import it is to replenish their own bodies. Timing time out for yourself occasionally allows your to give 100% 

Imagine yourself as jug full of water filling glasses until you are empty. You have to go to the tap and refill before you can give again. What is it that refills you? Make time to be refilled in your schedule regularly!

The birth of your baby will bring joy, exhilaration and profound changes and challenges to your life. As you make your transition into motherhood not only do you have to adapt to your non-pregnant state, but also to changes within your family, not to mention caring for your dependent baby 24/7.

Caring for Mum and Baby It is vitally important, therefore, to ensure that you receive care and nurturing to support you through this time. Receiving specialist postnatal massage is a wonderful way to heal and ease the discomforts in your body following your pregnancy & birth, improve energy levels and to provide nurturing support to you and your family.

Benefits for You and Your Baby...

Restores your body

Following your pregnancy and birth your body has undergone many changes and you may even feel that it is unfamiliar to you.  Postnatal massage treatments will help you to re-adjust and return to your non-pregnant state. It addresses aches and pains including post-pregnancy back pain, joint stiffness and 'feeding shoulders'.

A postnatal treatments gives you the chance to deeply relax in between your baby care activities. Relaxed mama = relaxed baby! Gives you time to yourself to be cared for, boosting energy levels and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.

​Ingredients

• 1 medium to large banana 
• 7 large strawberries (Optional:  for first this in the morning you're probably going to want to  stick to plain banana)
• 1/2" piece of ginger (4 grams), peeled and chopped in 4 chunks OR 1/4 teaspoon dried ginger
• 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (full cream is delicious if you've got)
• 1/4 cup (25 grams) quick oats or rolled oats if you don't mind some chunks of oats in your smoothie
• a dash of apple juice 

Instructions

1. Chop up the banana and the strawberries and pop them in the blender
2. Add the yogurt and prepared ginger
3. Give it a quick blend
4. Add the oats and blend again
5. Slowly add a little apple juice at a time and blend in between until it reaches a consistency you like.  

​Morning sickness is unpleasant but it usually not crippling. If your symptoms seem unusually severe, talk to your medical care provider. There’s a more serious condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum that sometimes requires more specialized treatment.

For a real feel good session make yourself a smoothie and book a relaxing prenatal massage right in the comfort of your home.