Today we’d like to introduce you to Trudie Jones.
Trudie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in the UK and moved to the USA in 1992, finally settling in Fort Lauderdale in 2004. It was here that I ran across an article in a Parenting magazine on birth statistics. I was shocked and concerned that so many women needed medical assistance to deliver a baby! Was it something in the water here in South Florida that caused medical interventions? At this point the direction of my life changed indefinitely to what I believe is my “true passion” … caring for babies before and after birth. I have been a Birth Doula for 12+ years and have had the honor and privilege of being part of the welcoming committee for hundreds of babies as they enter this new World. My current certifications include Birth Doula, Post-Partum Doula, Hypnobirthing Practitioner, Infant Massage Instructor and H.U.G. Teacher. I am the creator of “Welcome Home Baby” an instructional class intended to guide couples as they navigate their way through those early days of parenthood, I have produced an instructional DVD titled “Trifecta of Infant Massage” a step by step guide on Infant Massage. I recently wrote my first book “Around the Womb in 280 Days” which is awaiting publication.
I have been part of the Amazing Births and beyond team for a number of years and have worked with many amazing women during their pregnancy, one of those soon-to-be moms, Laura contacted us stating “we have to open one of these!” She was referring to a Baby Spa … something she had seen on the Internet. After researching the information she sent to both myself and Dr. Vivian Keeler, owner of Amazing Births and beyond we decided yes, this would be the perfect addition to the new Wellness Center in North Miami Beach! A joint partnership was formed, Dr. Keeler provided the beautiful space and my husband and I set about creating Amazing Baby Aqua Spa.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the biggest obstacles faced was trying to source the equipment for the Spa. Our search began with the individual float tubs, they had to be of a certain size, both width and depth so that babies could move freely. Glass fronts also a must how could we possibly miss seeing those little munchkins with their chubby little legs pirouetting like weightless ballerinas. We also we felt it was important that all the components and the construction be completed in the USA. This turned out to be an impossible task so we made the choice to have them designed and custom made to our own specific requirements. The next question was water quality, due to a baby’s delicate skin we knew the water had to be to chemical free so we worked with a supplier to achieve the highest standard of drinking water to fill out tubs. Next, sourcing the float pillows … we did not want to use the inflatable kind, we wanted closed cell foam similar to the foam used in life preservers … after many hours of researching we finally found the option we were looking for! Finally each child would have to have swim diapers supplied the obvious choice was environmentally friendly, re-usable swim diapers along with a waterproof bag to take them home. Once all those items were in place, the massage tables, organic bamboo hooded towels, and organic grape seed oil for massage was an easy find! The finishing touch was a careful choice of decor to ensure our babies would not be overstimulated and we had our Spa!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Amazing Baby Aqua Spa story. Tell us more about the business.
The doors to Amazing Baby Aqua Spa were opened towards the end of 2017, introducing Florida to its first combined Hydrotherapy and massage therapy for babies as young as 2 to 3 weeks old… A new concept for Florida, the second of its kind in the United States.
Our facility offers babies the opportunity to be unassisted in water, allowing for freedom of movement which in turn will strengthen every extremity. Because the brain grows and develops by use, that extra remarkable stimulation a baby receives in the water will help grow and develop baby’s brain. Add to this assisting the digestive and respiratory system, improved food absorption, better and longer sleep and more alert active time equals so many benefits and so much fun for both Parents and baby.
Our Spa is prepared in advance for a visit, water is tested for quality and heated to the perfect temperature. The first visit includes custom designed re-usable swim diaper, waterproof bag, Instructional Infant Massage DVD, and a starter jar of organic massage oil for baby (everything you need to continue massaging baby at home)
This is a hands-on experience where the parents participate in every aspect of the session. Each visit includes 10 to 30 minutes floating in one of our Individual Baby Tubbies Float Tub (time will be dependent on baby’s tolerance and strength) from the water, baby is wrapped in an organic hooded towel in preparation for a massage. Parents are guided step by step and stroke by stroke by our instructor on the art of infant massage.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Picking up and reading a magazine at a time when it had no relevance in my life, steered me in a direction I had never considered taking. Call it luck or fate I know my path from then until now has been a wonderful journey. Having the honor of attending so many beautiful births including those serene water births where baby gently and calmly makes its way into this World. Since opening the Baby Spa I have had the opportunity to watch as these amazing little humans move comfortable and freely through the water again almost as though this is their home away from home. Each magical moment brings new lessons in this journey, but the most important lesson for myself is that there is no place I would rather be.
Contact Info:
- Address: 17184 W. Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
- Website: http://www.amazingbabyspa.com
- Phone: 786-955-6560
- Email: amazingbabyspa@gmail.com
- Instagram: amazingbabyspa
- Facebook: amazingbabyspa
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
