Massage your baby

What is Infant Massage?

Mother's have been massaging their babies for thousands of years, yet in the West it is only over the last 10-15 years that this ancient practice is becoming a regular part of a routine.

While there is little research into the benefits of massage to adults, the amount of research into infant massage is rapidly growing. The Touch Institute in Miami is a widely respected for the quality of its research relating to Infant Massage.

The research clearly shows that regular massage can affect the physiological and psychological development of a new born. This is especially relevant in premature babies, where the effects of lack of physical contact in the early days and weeks due to being in Special Care can be countered by a daily massage.

The Benefits

Both baby and parent benefit from the natural process of touch. Infant Massage offers an opportunity to parents to increase the bond between themselves and their new born baby.

Benefits to Baby

Relaxation

Builds respect

Weight gain

Regular sleep patterns

Better bond with parents

Decrease of stress hormones

Increase in body awareness

Assistant in muscle tone and flexability

Baby learns to trust their parent

Increase in feelings of intimacy

Improves immune system

Benefits to Parents

Increase in bond with Baby

Assist with Post Natal Depression

Decrease in stress hormones

Gain self confidence

Learn about their baby's body and development

Develop awareness of their baby's needs and feelings

Caroline with Oliver

Massage Classes

Infant Massage Classes are designed to show parents how to safely massage their baby with confidence. The course has been designed by Touchlearn who are leaders in Infant Massage and are accredited to The Guild of Infant Massage, the board for Infant Massage in the UK.

The course is split into 5-6 workshops or classes to enable the parent to have time to learn each part of the massage sequence. It is crucial to build up the amount of time spent massaging the new born as they may be sensitive to over stimulation in the early months.

Each workshop begins with new set of strokes on a different part of the body. Handouts are provided each week and the class finishes with a discussion on various topics that are relevant to Infant Massage. Each workshop is fun and interactive, nursery rhymes are sung and conversation flows! Some Baby Yoga techniques are introduced at the last lesson which is always a big favourite with the babies!

If at any time a baby needs to take a break to feed, sleep or just to rest from the touch and stimulation the parent can simply watch the class or retire to a quiet area with their baby. Every lesson will re-cap on the techniques previously shown, therefore no one will miss out on any of the routines.

At the end of the course every parent will feel confident in the techniques shown to enable them to carry out massage on their baby in their own home. Friends are made at the classes as the discussion session allows parents to talk freely to others in the same situation as themselves.

For more details of the course please contact Harmonia and we will be happy to send you out our literature. Alternatively look at the contact page for testimonials from mothers who have been on the course.