'To breathe little is to feel little'
Alexander Lowen

Watch a relaxed or sleeping baby breathe and you will see that they breathe with their belly and lower two ribs. For those of you that are unfamiliar with this, this is called 'abdominal' or 'natural' breathing. Oxygen is the first food of life and natural breathing allows the maximum amount of oxygen for the least amount of effort. Natural breathing is slow, effortless, regular, fluid, and quiet with little movement from above the diaphragm.

The breath is a good indication of the level of stress and tension that you carry in your body. When you feel tense the breath is shallow and high in your chest. When feeling relaxed the breath is deeper and lower from your abdomen.
It is difficult to be tense and breathe from your tummy at the same time because natural breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your nervous system that evokes calmness and tranquility. It is the exact opposite of the arousal of the sympathetic nervous system associated with high emotions and the physiological reactions of stress symptoms and panic attacks.

Place your hand across your baby’s tummy when he is happy and it will feel soft and yielding. It will rise with each in breath and fall with each exhalation. Do the same when the baby is anxious and upset. The abdomen will feel hard and the baby's breath will be much higher into the chest.
Keep your baby’s belly relaxed and you will keep your baby relaxed. All mammals love having their bellies rubbed and this certainly includes babies.

The baby's belly is a major emotional centre and a great source of tranquility. Keeping your baby’s belly relaxed facilitates natural breathing which in itself triggers a relaxation response that will quieten the mind and emotions.
For most adults who have lost touch with the feelings of their bodies in this way the baby shows us how to make the change from stressful breathing to a slow regular, rhythmic natural breath. To enjoy deep feelings of relaxation, both in activity and at rest, and make natural breathing spontaneous.  

Stress is a major factor in accidents, disease, emotional crisis and crime. Most babies do not suffer from prolonged periods of stress. This return to natural breathing will result in long-term changes in the nervous system and will reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.

'The more we learn to be present, relaxed and centred in our own bodies, the more babies can stay oriented, connected and present with theirs. When babies are in that slowed down, quiet presence state,they have fuller access to their innate wisdom.
Babies are incredible teachers because by helping them, we learn more about ourselves. We learn how to live with our innate wisdom'.......Wendy Anne McCarty Ph.D

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