Whether your baby is a newborn, toddler or several years old, massage can bring immediate and lasting results. Massaging your baby is a loving way to begin a lifelong relationship. Infant massage is a preventive program that provides a loving touch right from the start.
Early psychological and sensory input is essential in facilitating the development of all infants.
Understanding the benefits and beginning touch early in life can improve the quality of parenting and promote the well being of the infant. Infant massage contains such critical elements of bonding as eye-to-eye contact, smiling, soothing vocal sounds, loving touch, caressing, smell and mutual interaction.
Studies show that bonding increases a parent’s feeling of attachment as well as the desire to nurture and care for their infants. In situations where both parents are working, daily massage helps compensate for the separation by re-establishing the bond and providing quality intimate time for both parents and the baby.
For fathers, creating and maintaining a close physical bond with their baby is particularly important. Fathers often lack the time and opportunity for nurturing their children. However, infant massage can help a father experience a nurturing feeling in a way unlike any other.
The mutual interaction gives both child and parent more self-confidence and a special time together.
Parent-infant massage classes are taught by certified therapists who teach mothers, fathers, grandparents and primary care givers. Classes are offered individually or through group instruction and consist of multiple sessions (usually four).
The average infant massage class is about 60 minutes and covers:
* Easy to follow, step-by-step massage instructions
* History, theory, and practice of infant massage
* Bonding and attachment
* Learning how to read your infant’s cues
* Benefits and behavioral states
* Relaxation techniques for babies and parents
* How to vary massage for growing toddler/child
* Customized instruction: premature, colic and intestinal difficulties
Local certified infant massage instructors teach an infant massage class Thursday through March 25 on Thursdays. Contact New Parent Support Program staff at 531-9573 to register and for more information.
