— Baby Massage —
Massage develops a child’s confidence in touch, which in turn allows babies to explore and experience their surroundings, appreciating their environment as a loving, safe, supportive place – all of which are essential for a baby’s self-confidence & development.
Baby Massage is an instructor-led class, where you as a parent perform the massage. It is a course where you will gradually learn a full body routine that you may perform throughout infancy, advising you on safe practice and at times where you may find techniques useful during motherhood, to calm and ease symptoms of your baby, when needed – this may be to help sleep and relaxation or colic & wind. It is a fantastic way of bonding and communicating with your child and a chance to share and meet new parents on the same journey as you.
Touch is of the utmost importance to humans & animals alike. Massage uses the language the baby knows best as a means of communication. Babies & young children can suffer from anxiety and a sense of isolation.
Massage develops a child’s confidence in touch, which in turn allows babies to explore and experience their surroundings, appreciating their environment as a loving, safe, supportive place – all of which are essential for a baby’s self-confidence & development.
Just a few sessions of massage will improve the baby’s ability to explore the space around them. They will be more confident, developing spatial awareness from confidence and security of their environment.
Massage is a parenting skill that enriches family interaction, which can become part of the two way communication between parents and children.
Benefits of Massage:
Physical
- Increased circulation
- Increases lymphatic function
- Improves immunity
- Improves skin condition
- Improves joint mobility
- Reduces muscular tension
- Can aid digestive mobility
- Reduces pain
Psychological
- Increases relaxation
- Increases body awareness
- Improves sleep
- Improves anxiety
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Alleviates depression
There are no set guidelines regarding the minimum age for when to start baby massage. Although nurturing touch can be given from birth, some babies may find formal, structured massage too stimulating in the very early weeks. We would also advise that your baby has received their immunisation injections before attending a group class.
We recommend that you bring your own baby mat & comfort blanket to encourage familiarisation and for hygiene purposes (this will be used to perform the massage)
We would also recommend feeding the baby at least 30 minutes prior to the class
Session time: 40-60 mins
Baby Massage is generally performed in a class environment (dates & availability are varied) Please also enquire about 1:1 sessions if classes are not available or times & dates are unsuitable.