The loving art of infant massage is beneficial for all babies!

Benefits of Infant Massage:

• Improves digestion
• Improves sleep
• Improves circulation
• Promotes optimal growth
• Facilitates parent - baby attachment
• Improves muscle tone
• Improves body awareness
• Promotes relaxation
• Relieves distress
• Improves immune function

It is estimated that stress contributes to 60-90% of all illnesses.   Newborn and infant massage can help by reducing stress hormones within your baby's body.   Touch and massage help your baby learn to effectively cope with stress.  This builds resiliencey and your baby's body can be free to complete it's healing processes.

When you  massage your baby, you may want to begin with the feet and legs.    You can gradually add another section of the body everyday until you are providing a full body massage.   This gives your baby an opportunity to integrate all aspects of the massage.      Baby massage helps your child most when it is provided consistently.

An important principle of infant massage is that you are interacting with your baby.   You are not doing something to him or her.    This is a part of your relationship with your child.   A baby's social and emotional development is directly affected by positive experiences with touch.   Infant massage provides positive touch experiences for your baby. 

Research proves the benefits of infant massage over and over.   Click on the website below and read some fascinating results!

Tiffany Field, The Touch Research Institute  www.miami.edu/touch-research/

Babies communicate with us by using their body language and facial expressions, as well as vocalizations.    While learning infant massage, you will get the opportunity to learn to read and respond to your baby's body language.     You will also use eye contact and facial expressions to encourage a back and forth exchange between you and your baby.  This helps your baby learn to regulate their emotions and is the beginning of language! 

Body language signs that your baby is enjoying infant massage:

• smiling
• relaxed facial expression
• eye contact
• cooing
• slow and gentle movements of arms or legs
• grasping with hands

Body language signs that your baby needs a break:

• turning head strongly to one side or the other
• fussing
• pulling arm or leg away
• worried look
• crying

 It is important for you to be relaxed while you are massaging your baby's body.   It is recommended to take a few minutes before the massage to take several deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth, deep and slow.    Place any frustrations or concerns to the side for this special time.    This helps you be completely present in the moment for your child.  This enhances the connection to your child and fills your baby's heart with an unconditional love feeling.

     This is a great way to connect with your baby!

Baby Reflexology

Reflexology is very gentle, specific touch on your baby's feet to promote optimal health.   Baby reflexology techniques help promote balance in your baby's body.    

Reflexology can help your baby's health, as well as promote improved energy flow to all vital organs and glands in the body.

Reflexology can be applied for:

*  general health and wellness

*  reflux and/or colic symptoms

*  teething troubles 

*  ear infections

*  congestion, sinus or other breathing problems

*  sleeping problems

I am not a certified Reflexologist.  I am a student of Reflexology and Baby Reflexology.  

You will learn to apply simple and fun techniques on your baby's feet.   All babies are different, therefore,  techniques are customized to your baby's needs.

Babies love Reflexology!

Community Infant Massage Classes: 

Please call to book a community class or for more information.  351-1367

I also teach private classes in your home.

Schedule a 30 minute newborn massage class for your baby shower or 60 minutes for Mom and Baby Play Group

Call or email to schedule.

Recommended oils for newborn &  infant massage:

• 100% grapeseed oil
• 100% virgin organic coconut oil (unrefined)
• 100% olive oil
• 100% almond oil

Organic, cold pressed oils are recommended.

I am certified through International Association of Infant Massage IAIM® and Baby's First Massage.

www.iaim.ws

www.babysfirstmassage.com