yoga images

Baby Massage

 

‘If you haven’t been held in mind, hold your baby how you wanted to be held. Love them how you wanted to be loved. Talk to them how you wanted to be talked to.’
- Anonymous


Baby massage is a wonderful way to nurture the loving bond that is created between a baby and their parents. Babies are sensitive and refined beings that come into the world with their own unique way of communicating. Through the baby massage classes, your awareness of your baby’s individual language will be enhanced through understanding of their behaviour states, reflexes and cues.


Imagine the warm, safe space of the womb, in class we recreate a cocoon of quietness and calm. We are accepting of our babies as they are, whether soundly asleep or expressing their needs through crying or alert and ready – all expressions of life are welcomed in class. It is a time for you to relax and be in a present state acknowledging what is happening between you and your baby.

 

The IAIM baby massage is a routine of massage strokes inspired by Indian massage, Swedish massage, reflexology and yoga, developed for babies up to twelve months old. Classes are 1.5 hours long and taught over 6 consecutive weeks, which gives you and baby time to learn massage and become accustomed to nurturing touch.


Classes include:

  • Parent relaxation

  • Positioning and permission from baby to massage

  • Demonstration of massage strokes

  • Theory of topics related to infant development and massage

  • Informal discussions on the joys and challenges of parenting

  • Detailed massage stroke handouts and organic vegetable oil

  • a space for parents to relax, share experiences and socialise

We encourage you to ask your baby’s permission to massage them before beginning a massage, and to respond to their behaviour cues. This also supports the communication and bonding process by developing trust, respect and helps babies understand positive nurturing touch. You will massage your baby, while the strokes are demonstrated by the teacher on a doll. Classes are baby-centred so no need to be concerned about class coinciding with sleep or feed times. Spare dolls are usually available to practice on if baby is sleeping. We welcome baby’s cries, as this is their way of expressing their needs and it is asked that you respond promptly and sensitively to your baby’s cries as this is acknowledged as supporting the bonding process.


On our baby massage course you will learn, among other things:

  • Massage strokes for legs, feet, stomach, chest, arms, hands, face and back

  • A colic routine to help with colic and gas

  • Gentle movements

  • Touch relaxation

  • Lullabies and songs

  • The best time to massage your baby

  • Which massage oils to use

  • The importance of good positioning

  • How to adapt the strokes for your baby's individual needs and your growing child