The wonderful art of Baby Massage, also known as Infant massage has been practiced in Africa, South America and in the Far East for hundreds of years.  Relatively new in the West, therapeutic baby massage is becoming increasingly popular and is taught to parent and baby groups via a worldwide network of baby massage instructors.

Baby massage courses consist of a series of weekly group classes. Parents/carers are taught specific massaging routines in small groups of six or seven parents and their babies.  This is followed by a general discussion.  The baby massage classes are relaxed and informal, taking place in the instructors home or in the homes of the parents who often take turns to host the group.

Once the class is finished the parents continue to give regular massage to their babies as part of their normal daily routine.  The massage has a relaxing effect for both parent and baby.

Why baby massage?

Massage has a positive effect on the physical and emotional wellbeing of babies.  Indeed touch is essential for their growth and development.  Apart from the obvious benefit of bonding between parent and baby there is much documented research about the additional effects and benefits of baby massage including:

• improved motor function
• more eye contact, smiling, vocalising, reaching, and responsiveness
• reduction in stress hormones and less anxiety
• induces sleep and improves sleep patterns
• weight gain (paticularly beneficial in premature babies)
• increases blood circulation, balances respiration
• beneficial to digestive, eliminatory and immune systems
• relieves colic, wind, constipation and mucous
• increases feelings of security, love and feeling wanted (builds self esteem)
• builds confidence in handling of baby

Baby massage is easy to learn and is a positive and happy experience in communication between parent and baby.  Great for dads/grandparents too!

Contact the International Association of Infant Massage who can put you in contact with a local instructor.  Consider getting together with a group of friends (i.e from your ante/post natal group) and the instructor may come to you.

Safe Use Of Oils

Care should be taken when choosing oils for baby massage.  Essential (aromatherapy) oils should NOT be used on babies without first consulting a professionally trained practitioner.  The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary's Hospital in London uses fractionated coconut oil (supplied by Essentially oils Ltd) for baby massage, but your usual baby oil should suffice.

Baby Massage resources