“Baby massage brings huge benefits for both the child and parents – it helps parents bond with their baby, promotes better sleep, aids digestion and relieves teething pains. Above all, it helps the baby to feel loved!
For more than 30 years, IAIM has set the standard for baby massage training for parents, carers and health professionals.
What are the advantages of Baby Massage?
- Infant-Parent attachment or "bonding"*
- Relaxation
- Makes 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.)
* Bonding is: love, security, connection, acceptance, peace, caring, happiness, interaction, empathy, unity, warmth, joy, communication and familiarity.
Bonding may be experienced through eye contact, touch, smell, taste and listening
What to expect from your Baby IAIM Massage course
R.F.Therapies CIC established baby massage courses are informal yet informative. All babies aged 4 weeks to pre-crawling are welcome. If your baby was premature, call to discuss an appropriate start time for your little one. (call Ruth on 01782630758)
Over the 5 week course we teach a full body massage sequence for the legs, abdomen, chest, arms, face and back, a simple yet incredibly effective gas/colic routine and our fun 'sing-along' baby yoga inspired gentle movements to be used either alongside or independently of the massage.
Babies LOVE music so we incorporate special rhymes, songs and lullabies into the routine to enhance the enjoyment (singing is optional!).
You will also learn what oils to use & why & how to create a suitable environment, follow your baby’s cues, massage safely and adapt the massage as your baby grows. Time permitting we have discussion at the end, on pertinent topics such as sleeping and crying.
All you need to bring is a small towel and cushion.. and your baby!
Handouts, a lullabies & rhymes song sheet, laminated prompt card, 50ml bottle of organic cold pressed sunflower oil and a certificate for your baby are all included in the course.
Don't worry if your little one sleeps or feeds during this time, we have demonstration dolls that you can practice on...the real work is done at home! If you can't make a class due to holidays or illness, you are welcome to join in on the class that you have missed on the next course, subject to numbers/venue.
You will be the only one massaging your baby - the instructor uses a demonstration doll. Please note, you will be sitting on a mat so wear comfortable clothes - trousers are best. You will be removing your baby's clothes so bear this in mind when choosing what to dress them in!
If your baby was premature, or has any other special requirements, please let the instructor know at the time of booking.
What other mums say...
'I really enjoyed the course. It is not only a great way to spend a quality time together with my baby but has also improved her sleep pattern and her colic as she feels more relaxed' (Bethan, mum to Sophie)
'The course was fantastic. Ethan was quite tense and got upset frequently. Since we've done the class he is now completely contented. He enjoys the close interaction, finds it fun and loves the singing element' (Sian, mum to William)
