WITH JEN COOPER FROM LITTLE

Welcome to this month’s "Meet the Expert" feature, where I’m excited to introduce Jen Cooper, the founder of Little, HK. Jen is a specialist in baby and toddler yoga, as well as infant massage. She offers invaluable support to parents starting their journey, helping to promote relaxation, bonding, and improved sleep for babies, while also aiding in digestion and overall well-being through the power of gentle touch and movement.
Join me as I interview Jen to learn more about her journey, background, and how she can support you. Discover where to find her and how she continues to make a difference in the lives of new parents and babies.

PLEASE TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

I’m married to Ed, whom I met on my teacher training course in Oxford. We quickly realised that the life we wanted was waiting for us in Asia, and spend years teaching in the mainland of China before settling in Hong Kong. We have a 4 year old daughter and another little on the way!

Please tell me ABOUT LITTLE and what services you offer to the new mums of HK?

At Little we offer motor development classes for babies from birth to age 2. We start with massage and nurturing touch and work our way up through age appropriate movements and stretches until toddlers have the body awareness to do yoga poses independently.

Please share how Little came about and where this journey began for you?

Learning Baby Massage has been life changing for me. I was prescribed a course of infant massage when I was diagnosed with postnatal depression. Although I was sceptical at first, the process of learning to massage my daughter was transformative for my confidence and for our relationship. Baby Massage became my passion and I’m delighted to bring this purposeful and ancient practice to the parents of Hong Kong.

Can you share a heartwarming story where you feel you made a significant impact on one of your clients?

I have so many! My favourite clients to help are the parents who are experiencing perinatal mental health conditions, just as I did. It means so much to know that I’ve made a difference to these mums and dads and their experience of the transition into parenthood. It’s not uncommon for me to have mums become tearful and emotional when recounting the impact that Little has had on their lives. It’s such a privilege to be a part of such a profound change.

Balancing business and family life can be tough. Can you share some strategies you use to manage this juggle effectively?

I’m certainly guilty of working too hard! However I have learned to treat my weekends as sacred and ensure I put aside time to spend with my daughter and husband. A weekly date night is a critical part of our routine, and I make sure to have a couple of meet-ups with friends during the week too.

What do you do for self care?

A solo trip to a restaurant is my idea of a huge treat. Taking myself for lunch, a pre-dinner cocktail and snack or afternoon tea are my ways of showing care to myself.

What are your parenting styles and beliefs?

I would categorise our parenting style as respectful, communicative and fair. We believe in being truthful and open and communicate freely, even about the hard topics. We are careful to remain respectful and empathetic of our daughter, even through challenging times, and work to communicate with her gently, in ways she can understand.

How does sleep operate in your home, what are your boundaries with it, and how have you overcome any challenges related to sleep over the years?

Sleep issues have been a huge trigger for me, especially when I was in the midst of my postnatal depression. Our daughter was never a good napper, but sleeps fairly well at night. We co-slept until she was around 18 months, at which point we moved her to her own room. The transition was challenging but so worth it - everyone sleeps so much better now! When our new baby arrives I will probably change our approach somewhat, I’m sure I’ll be looking to Jade for guidance!

What's your ultimate parenting hack, tool, or tip that you'd love to share with other moms to make their lives a bit easier?

I have so many amazing parenting hacks - baby massage is an absolute goldmine for tips, tricks and simple methods to soothe and support your baby. For parents struggling with tummy time, my simple tip is to run two fingers down baby’s back, on either side of their spine. You’ll see that baby will almost immediately raise their head, and possibly their shoulders, up and off the floor. This is because this simple stroke shows your baby which muscles they need to use to lift their head.

Tell me about your life in Hong Kong. What do you love the most about it, how do you spend your free time and do you have any hidden gems to share?

As a Hong Kong parent, what I love most about HK is my helper! We absolutely couldn’t manage without her and I’m so grateful for all the work that she does and all the love that she pours into our family.
As a family, we love getting into nature. I enjoy hiking up Braemar Hill to the waterfalls up there, and my absolute favourite day out is a trip to a quiet beach on Lamma. Sourdough in Wanchai is my hidden gem - it’s a delicious and reasonably priced bakery and cafe. I’m so surprised that more people don’t know about it!

Finally, what is your most favourite part of the day?

Putting my daughter to bed. We read a story, put the lights out and cuddle before she sleeps. That’s when she shares about her day, when I tell her all the things I love about her, and we appreciate each other. It’s magical, every single day.

Thank you so much, Jen, for sharing your journey with us. If you're considering support in this area, please don't hesitate to reach out to her through her website https://www.little.hk/foreverlittle

THE SLEEP DIARIES: EDITION SIX