Interview with Elina Furman

Host: Dr. Allen Lycka

Guest: Elina Furman

Topic: Baby Massage, Parenting Hacks, and Living a Fantastic Life

Introduction to Elina Furman

Dr. Allen Lycka introduces Elina Furman, a certified infant massage instructor, author, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Kahlmi, a baby massage brand that blends holistic wellness with modern parenting solutions, and the author of 101 Baby Hacks, a troubleshooting guide for common parenting challenges. Elina, a mother of two teenage boys, shares her personal experience and passion for helping parents build meaningful connections with their babies.

Elina's Journey into Parenting and Baby Massage

• Personal Challenges: Elina recounts her struggles as a new mom juggling full-time work and parenting.
• Discovering the Importance of Touch: She highlights how touch and connection benefit both babies and parents, empowering mothers during difficult moments like teething, colic, and sleepless nights.
• The Birth of Kahlmi: Motivated by her experience, Elina became a certified infant massage instructor and created Kahlmi (pronounced "call me") to help parents communicate with their babies through touch.

The Power of Touch and Baby Massage

• Communication Through Touch: Since babies cannot talk, massage is a vital way to express care, comfort, and love.
• Building Confidence: Elina discusses how massage builds parents' confidence, alleviates fear, and strengthens the parent-child bond.
• Benefits for Parents: Baby massage is also calming for parents, helping them reset and manage stress and anxiety.

Key Insight: "Our babies are sponges for our energy. If we are fearful or anxious, they will pick up on it."

Practical Parenting Hacks

Elina shares practical and effective baby hacks to address common parenting challenges:

1. Sleep Hacks

• Forehead-to-Nose Massage: Use a finger to gently rub from the forehead to the bridge of the nose in a repetitive motion to calm the baby.
• The Jedi Eyebrow Trick: Gently massage the middle of the eyebrows outward toward the temples to induce relaxation.
• The Pause: When a baby stirs, wait a moment to determine if they are truly awake or transitioning between sleep cycles.

2. Teething Relief

• Use a vibrating massager or gently massage the baby's cheeks with two fingers, moving in small circles from the chin to the ears.
• This technique helps relieve jaw tension caused by teething.

3. Colic and Tummy Issues

• Understanding Colic: Elina explains that colic remains a mystery, though it may be linked to overtiredness or digestive issues.
• Tummy Massage for Gas and Constipation: Use gentle clockwise strokes on the baby’s belly to relieve gas and promote digestion. For diarrhea, rub counterclockwise.

Overcoming Fear and Embracing Parenting

• The Role of Fear: Elina emphasizes that fear can hold parents back from trusting their instincts and enjoying the parenting journey.
• The Message for Parents: Let go of perfectionism and embrace trial and error. Parenting is about exploration, curiosity, and connection.

Connect with Elina Furman

• Book: 101 Baby Hacks: The Ultimate Troubleshooting Guide for New Parents (Available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble)
• Website: www.kahlmi.com
• Social Media: Follow Elina on Instagram @getkahlmi for free daily massage tutorials and parenting tips.

BIO:

Elina Furman is a certified infant massage instructor, author, and entrepreneur, passionate about helping parents create meaningful connections with their babies. She is the founder of Kahlmi, a baby massage brand that combines holistic wellness with modern parenting solutions, and the author of 101 Baby Hacks, a troubleshooting guide for common parenting challenges. A mom of two teenage boys, Elina lives in Connecticut, where she enjoys boating, tennis, and mentoring future leaders.

Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/getkahlmi