THE FAR-REACHING BENEFITS OF INFANT MASSAGE

"Infant massage, as it is shared in this book, is not a fad. It is an ancient art that connects you deeply with the person who is your baby and helps you to understand your baby's nonverbal language and respond with love and respectful listening. It empowers you as a parent, for it gives you the means by which you become an expert on your own child and therefore can respond according to your baby's unique needs. Rather than growing up selfish and demanding (though all kids go through such stages), a child whose voice is heard, whose heart is full, and who is enveloped in love over flows with that love and naturally, unselfconsciously, gives of himself to others. He learns what healthy, respectful touch is by being touch that way. He learns self-discipline by watching his parents and imitating them. Thee deep emotional bonds formed in infancy lay a foundation for a lifetime of trust, courage, dependability, faith, and love."

- Vimala McClure,

Infant Massage: A Handbook For Loving Parents

NEXT CLASS: Call for dates.

WHY JOIN An infant Massage CLASS?

My courses are taught over a number of weeks, normally 3 - 5 weeks, to give both the parent/caregiver and baby time to learn and become comfortable with the massage. Each week parents/caregivers learn strokes for a new part of the body while reviewing strokes from previous classes. New strokes are learned and previous information is reinforced.  I teach a little at a time to ensure that you are confident with every aspect.

The strokes and styles of baby massage are easier to grasp when demonstrated by an experienced instructor. Pressure, rate, rhythm, the length of the massage, respect, bonding, why baby cries, baby’s body language, positioning of the baby, relaxation and parent empowerment are some of the skills and topics that will be discussed.

Sign up for your class today!

Benefits of Infant Massage for Baby

• Infant-Parent attachment or “bonding”

• Relaxation

• Helps baby feel loved

• Promotes better sleep

• Facilitates body awareness

• Boosts immune system

• Sensory stimulation

• Improves skin condition

• Improves blood circulation

• Helps digestion

• Balances respiration

• Relief for teething pains

• Help waste elimination

• Helps build parents’ and baby’s self-esteem

• Helps you learn about your baby (their needs and desires)

• Relaxes parents

• Pleasurable experience

• Stimulates production of oxytocin (Oxytocin is a hormone which can be produced by both male and female persons during massage. It is useful as a pain reliever and has a calming effect on the person.)

Benefits of Infant Massage for Parents

• Caregivers report feeling more comfortable and confident in their ability to care for baby.

• Parents learn to understand and respond to baby’s cues.

• Parents learn techniques to comfort, calm and soothe their babies.

• Provides an additional avenue for close and nurturing contact.

• Infant Massage is one of the most natural and pleasant methods of providing this important early nurturing and an amazing tool for helping parents become closer to their babies.

WHAT’S A CLASS LIKE?

THIS IS A SERIES OF THREE, 90 MINUTE LONG CLASSES. ONCE A WEEK, FOR THREE WEEKS.

• My classes are held in small groups to ensure personalized attention.

• Classes are baby led. In my classes, it’s okay for babies to cry, sleep, nurse, coo, and need a diaper change!

• Supportive group sessions are where parents can share experiences and learn from each other while having fun.

• Recommended age for group classes is from birth to pre-crawling.

• Recommended age for private classes is from birth to crawling.

You will receive:

• A gift bag from Living Anew Therapeutic Massage

• "Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents", By Vimala McClure

• A bottle of safe and appropriate massage oil.

• Handouts including illustrations of the massage strokes and topics of conversation, as well as a folder to keep them in each week.

Who may participate?

Parents, Caregivers, Foster Parents, older siblings, and their babies who are birth to pre-crawling are welcome in the group classes.  Anyone who cares for an infant, including all shades of humans and religions, LGTBQ+, are ALL welcome in my space and in my classes. These groups will be no larger than 3 to 6 families to allow for personalized attention. Participation of both parents is extremely encouraged although not required. 

Parents, caregivers, Foster Parents, older siblings, and their babies who are birth to crawling may schedule private sessions.  

YOU WILL LEARN: 

• The history, theory, and practice of Infant Massage.

• Massage techniques to help your baby relax.

• How better to respond to their cues by understanding what those cues are for your baby.

• Bonding and attachment skills through nurturing touch, eye contact, smells, and respect.

• How to vary massage strokes for the growing toddler/child.

• Dealing with special needs such as colic, prematurity, physical challenges, intestinal difficulties (excessive gas, constipation, etc.).