Baby massage Group
This is a fun and informal group, come along and meet other parents while bonding with your baby. Baby massage differs significantly from adult massage, it is gentle with more smooth stroking movements rather than deep tissue massage. It promotes skin on skin touch which is good for bonding as seen in the benefits section.
Please contact us to book a place for you and your baby.
Baby massage is used in many African and Asian cultures to ease colic and crying, to help babies to sleep and even aid their growth and development.
Research has shown that massage used as part of the babies daily routine helps reduce babies stress hormone levels (nor epinephrine and epinephrine) and appears to release melatonin, which is the hormone release to help with sleep patterns. It also shows that massaging premature and under weight babies increases their weight gain by up to 47%. Also they show good signs in developmental tasks
Why every day?
A day for a baby is a very long time. A baby gains a huge amount of life experience every day. Even 1 day missed would be a long time for a baby to miss. The more you massage your baby the closer you will feel and be able to greatly increase your communication and it will help for you understand your babies’ mood, needs, desires and expressions
How long for?
20 – 30 mins a day, a baby is not very big. Give yourself and your baby time to learn new strokes. Following a set routine will help your baby to know what to expect.
Should I use oil?
It better to use an oil rather than a cream or dry massage. Always make sure you use edible oil like grape seed or any cooking oil.
Always use unscented oil on a new born. You can start to use scented oils like lavender and camomile from about 3 months old. Try wearing the scented oils yourself so the baby will associate smell - mom – relaxation.
A spiritual connection
Infants and small children are gifts of pure unconditional love. Sharing massage with them allows us to tap into this love and in turn reflect it back to them.
Babies are born with connection to the divine intact. In many cultures the art of baby massage is used as part of the daily routine, and is practiced in silence with intuitive connections. Few people realise that babies react to energy, therefore thought and emotions. If a parent or sibling is scared or angry the baby feels it too. If there is a positve energy or emotion in the room the baby will respond to that. Think of the impact of the next generation if they retain the ability to allow their spiritual guidance while simultaneously being firmly grounded to earth from their experience of being massaged as a baby. These will be our future leaders!!!!
Benefits for baby
Stimulation
v Gentle handling improves stability of the nervous system and resistance to disease.
v Babies that are massaged regularly are more alert and sociable when awake.
v They tend to vocalise more.
v As they grow they are more relaxed and open with healthy touch, hugging, cuddling, and holding hands.
Relaxation
v Babies sleep better and settle more easily.
v It enables them to release pent up tension and anxiety.
v Massage helps babies to practice handling input and respond to it with relaxation.
v It teaches them relaxation techniques they can practice throughout their lives.
Relief
v Massage helps with the relief of colic and digestive problems.
v It helps to tone the digestive tract, therefore moving gas and faecal material for easier expulsion.
v May relieve the discomforts of teething, congestion and emotional stress.
Interaction
v Massage enhances the bonding process.
v Baby and parent feel closer as they share the communication of love.
v It is a routine that builds love, trust and intimacy.
Benefits for parents
v Bonding is enhanced through eye contact.
v Increases prolactin levels
v A great way for fathers to bond with a new baby.
v Has been used with great results in cases of neglect and abuse
v Can help adoptive parents bond with a new baby.
v Computer studies have shown that babies sync there body movements with the speech of the parent.
v Baby and parent are in sync with each other.
v There is a decreased level of cortisol – stress hormone – in the parent.
v Many working parents found that if they massage their baby they get home it helps them relax and reconnect with their baby