Learn how to massage your baby in the comfort of your own home, or at my practice if you would prefer. Individual, couple or group tuition is available in one hour sessions. During the first session you will learn the basic massage and stretching techniques, the benefits of massage, when it’s best to massage and when not to, what oils to use, what preparations need to be made prior to massage and how often and for how long massage should take place. During subsequent sessions we will recap on the techniques previously learnt, discuss any queries or questions you may have that have arisen from your massage experience with your baby, and you will learn more advanced massage techniques.

Baby Massage Instruction costs £25 per adult per one hour session, with a minimum of 2 adults per session. Sessions are run Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and participants are provided with an information pack and oil. Gift Vouchers for this course are available and cost £50 per one hour session. Please contact me if you would like more information.

Baby Massage

Baby massage was first introduced to the UK in the mid 1990’s, some 20 years behind the USA, and its main emphasis is the importance of the physical bonding and attachment between parents and babies. It is a return to the old practices which had all but died out due to ‘progress’.

Massaging babies has been part of traditional family life in eastern countries for centuries and continues to form part of the daily childcare routine. Eastern cultures recognise the importance of close skin and body contact between parent/carer and baby and many mothers in tribal, urban and rural countries such as Africa and India carry out their daily duties with their babies supported in slings. In this way the babies experience the rhythm and movement of daily activities, which in turn helps to stimulate their emotional and motor development.

Babies rely on physical touch for their healthy development. The contact experienced during a massage session provides both parent and baby with an opportunity for close physical contact which supports the baby’s emotional, physical and mental growth. Massage encourages relaxation in babies and helps them to become more flexible – it is also thought to help protect the skin as the oils used nourish the skin and are absorbed easily.

The role of the baby massage instructor is to teach parents and carers how to massage their babies and to support and encourage them as they develop their skills. The beauty of baby massage is that it is an innate skill present in all parents/carers and it is the baby massage instructor’s role to nurture this.

Physiological benefits of massage for babies:

• Stimulates a baby’s circulation resulting in increased blood flow which brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to the baby’s cells and tissues
• Stimulates and strengthens a baby’s immune system through increased stimulation of the lymphatic circulation
• Aids digestion and elimination by activating relaxation responses which help relieve colic and constipation
• Encourages muscular co-ordination and joint flexibility
• Stimulation of the skin through massage increases the production of endorphins which help to reduce pain and tension and improves emotional well-being by elevating mood

Psychological benefits of massage for babies:

• Soothes and comforts, helps to relieve anxiety and reduces tension, restlessness and irritability
• Gives babies reassurance through skin contact
• Promotes relaxation and helps induce sleep
• Improves sensory awareness
• Promotes emotional security

Benefits of baby massage for parents:

• Deepens and strengthens the relationship between a baby and it’s parents by encouraging bonding and attachment – this is a reciprocal process
• Helps parents to relax and enjoy their baby
• Helps parents to learn their baby’s cues/non-verbal signs and to interpret their needs and desires
• Parents develop confidence in handling their baby and this increases self esteem and confidence in the parenting role
• Provides a positive parenting tool that nurtures their baby’s physical and emotional development

Another major benefit for both parent/carer and baby is that IT’S FUN AND IT FEELS GOOD!!

Baby massage is a form of communication between parents/carers and their babies. Communicating with a baby involves touching, holding, rocking, talking and active listening. Babies are individuals and have their own likes and dislikes and will communicate these through verbal and non-verbal signs. By tuning into their baby’s cues, parents and carers can develop their own special style of massage which fits their baby’s needs.