Benefits of baby massage: Focus on relaxation

April is Stress Awareness Month and let’s face it becoming a parent can be very stressful. A little bit of stress in our lives needn’t be a negative thing as a little stress can motivate us into action. However too much stress or constant “toxic” stress can have a detrimental impact on our bodies and wellbeing. Now would you believe that coming to a baby massage class could relieve stress for you and your baby? Not just while you’re in class but for long afterwards?

“The experience of infant massage provides a “bubble” protecting parent and child from outside stimulus; the parent’s soft voice as he/she sings to baby, the warm soul-to-soul contact, helps parents slow down and quiet themselves and babies to bathe in the gentle rhythm of the massage.”

Vimala McClure (IAIM founder)

There are many benefits of baby massage and we often put them into the categories of interaction, stimulation, relief and relaxation. As it’s Stress Awareness Week let’s focus on relaxation. We all know how stressful it is getting baby ready, ourselves ready and out the house on time for a class so rest assured, it’s absolutely ok to be a bit late to baby massage. Feel free to come in late without judgement.

Before we even begin massaging baby in class we always take part in a short relaxation exercise to make sure that we are relaxed and therefore baby will be more receptive to our nurturing touch. Each week I will show you a different kind of relaxation technique so that you can find what works for you when you practise at home or when stressful situations arise.

The practice of baby massage itself has relaxing effects, both for you and baby. Massage produces the bonding hormone oxytocin as well as the feel good hormones serotonin and dopamine, leading to feelings of relaxation for both you and baby. Massage also reduces the production of the stress hormone cortisol within you and baby, further promoting relaxation. The strokes themselves, particularly strokes derived from Indian massage, relax baby’s whole body.

The relaxing effect of massage on the body.

Our three step touch relaxation that you will learn in class as part of our massage teaches baby how to relax, a technique that can be used with your child in stressful situations. How many adults have you met that find it difficult to relax and switch off? Learning to relax is a real skill.

In class you are free to meet your baby’s every need.

While you attend my classes, I aim to promote relaxation as much as I can. Classes last 90 minutes which means we can move through the class at a leisurely pace and you are free to attend to your baby’s needs at all times. I’ll even dispose of your nappies! My classes are also small and welcoming (usually only 6-8 families) which means we can relax and get to know each other. We break around half way through class for some chat and home-baking where we can share our experiences of being a parent. (If you want to or we can just eat cake).

I aim to provide a stress free baby class where you can attend to your own and baby’s needs without any pressure or judgement, with the added benefit of relaxation for you and baby.