Your Instructor

About Classes

·        What is baby massage?

The practice of baby massage is traditional in many cultures throughout the world, particularly in India and Africa. It has grown in popularity in the UK since the late 1990s. Through specific rhythmical strokes, touch and nurturing holds babies are not only lulled into relaxation but may also be soothed from the distress of colic, teething, excessive crying, constipation, and congestion. The practice also aids their general development, promotes sleep, and enables you to deepen your connection with your child through the communication of touch.

The benefits are far reaching beyond that being experienced by baby and can extend to parents/carers and the rest of the family.

Baby massage, as taught by trainers with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), uses techniques from both Indian and Swedish massage and also principles from the practice of yoga and reflexology. The IAIM was founded in the 1980s and the same well evidenced programme is being taught in over 70 countries.

The main aim of the IAIM course is, through nurturing touch, to strengthen the bond and attachment between the primary care giver and the infant which positively impacts on the child’s emotional and social development as they grow up.

I genuinely believe that baby massage is a game changer in that it provides a wonderful opportunity for parents, moms and dads, to experience quality bonding time with their baby to promote calm, connection, and communication both verbally and non-verbally. Through nurturing touch babies can feel loved, valued, and respected.

·        Location

Classes are held on Saturday mornings at 10am in a community room based within John Lewis & Partners, Touchwood Solihull, 17 Station Road, Solihull B91 3RA.

·        Classes

The course follows the curriculum as set by the International Association of Infant Massage. Each class lasts up to 90 minutes, every week we learn the strokes for a different part of the body along with the supporting information/theory, building up to a full body massage. You are also taught a specific routine for the relief of colic/gas and gentle movements for the pre-walker. We share practical ideas for doing baby massage at home and relaxation tips for you as well as baby!

By the end of the course you will have learnt all the strokes that make up a full body massage for your baby.

Classes are kept small to ensure that you get the most out of them. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet other parents/carers in a supportive environment and learn a skill that can be used again and again as your child’s grows and develops.

The five-week course costs just £55. The price includes a bottle of organic baby massage oil, a certificate of achievement, weekly handouts to remind you of the strokes taught, a handbook to help you practice at home and a special treat to celebrate successful completion!

If you would prefer the course to be taught to you on an individual basis this can be arranged on request.

Bespoke classes can also be arranged for specialist groups on request in Solihull and the surrounding areas.

Benefits of Baby Massage

There are many benefits to the regular practice of baby massage. The founder of International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), Vimala McClure has categorised them in four areas for easier explanation but they all flow and work together.

The four areas are: Interaction, Stimulation, Relief, and Relaxation.

Interaction

· Promotes communication through touch

· Promotes bonding and a secure attachment

· 1-1 quality time

· Babies learn that they can trust you, that they are safe with you, that you love and respect them. This is the foundation of healthy self-esteem.

· Pre-language, you engage in verbal/non-verbal communication

Stimulation

· Stimulates the major body systems

Circulatory system – increases blood circulation

Digestive system – brings blood and oxygen to the intestines which improves digestion which therefore has a positive impact on weight gain as food is better absorbed. Massage also stimulates the elimination of food.

Hormonal system – increases production of oxytocin, reducing the release of cortisol and adrenalin which are hormones that induce stress.

Lymphatic system is part of the immune system. Massage may increase the flow of the lymphatic system which helps the body to fight infection.

Respiratory system - research has shown that massage can improve lung function (Martina H, Beulah H, David A. 2015)

Brain growth system – massage helps to stimulate neurological development promoting increased attention, alertness, memory and general development skills.

Proprioceptive system the bodies sense of movement stimulated by input to the muscles, tendons and joints.

Vestibular system (balance & coordination)

Stimulates skin receptors

Sensory integration is how information from our senses is interpreted by the central nervous system informing our reactions to input from the environment.

· Body awareness – enables babies to discover different parts of their body and how body parts relate to one another and the environment i.e., gravity.

· Development of muscle and tone

· Growth – stimulates growth enhancing hormones

· Language development

· Could improve sleep

Relief

Massage may help to relieve:

· Pain/discomfort from gas, colic, constipation, digestive cramps, teething, growing pains

· Excess mucus and congestion

· Excessive crying

· Sensitivity to touch

Relaxation

· Reduces stress hormones and increases those that promote relaxation

· Massage helps babies to experience how it feels to be relaxed; their bodies learn to recognise the feeling.

· Improved sleep patterns

Benefits for Parents

· Contributes to development of bonding and attachment

· Promotes understanding and responding to infant cues

· Builds up your confidence

· Both parents can be involved

· The act of giving a massage reduces your stress hormones.

· Can be a tool to reduce symptoms of postnatal depression; touch aids bonding and attachment

· May enable you to get more sleep!

Benefits for the Family

. Siblings and the extended family can get involved with some aspect of nurturing touch

. Family can better understand babies cues

. The whole family may get more sleep!

GET IN TOUCH

If you would like further information