Baby Massage

Would mummy like a massage too?

Find a YogaBellies® Mummy Therapists near you for your custom perinatal massage and beauty treatments...

All About Baby Massage...

YogaBellies offer Baby Massage for infants from newborn age until 'mobile' (which can be anywhere between 6 and 10 months) and also currently teach group classes, baby massage parties and one-to-one sessions as required.

When can I start baby massage?

You can start baby massage classes from birth - even preterm medically stable babies can benefit from baby massage (although if this applies to you arrange a one to one session with your YogaBelles teacher.)

What do I need to bring to class?

Mats, cushions and oils are provided during the class and you will receive a 50ml bottle of YogaBellies® baby massage oil to take home with you to practice at home. Please bring a towel along to wipe baby clean after the massage and a toy to distract them if they become fretful. A clean nappy may also be advisable! :)

Infant massage can help with a range of problems:
 Massage can begin from the day the baby is born, but many parents start later having been taught by health professionals or having been on a courseMassage is an excellent way of connecting with your baby if you are a working mum. A short massage each night before bath time can help your baby feel lovedMassage can alleviate trapped wind, soothe colic or alleviate constipationMassaging the jaw can relax a baby who has just begun to take solidsMassaging the gums through the skin may ease the pain of teethingA face massage can unblock baby's blocked noseMassage can alleviate the effects of postnatal depression and help mother have a more positive interaction with their baby

The benefits of infant massage for your childSmoothes transition from womb to the worldDevelops baby's first language: touchTeaches positive loving touchDevelops a feeling of being loved, respected and secureDevelops body, mind, awareness and coordinationCan help to reduce the discomfort of colic, wind and constipationHelps to regulate and strengthen baby's digestive and respiratory systems and stimulate circulatory and nervous systemsPromotes relaxationCan help to reduce 'fussiness' and improve quality of sleepImproves skin condition

The benefits of infant massage for parents
Helps parent to understand baby's non-verbal communicationEnhances parent's confidence and competence in dealing with babyCan help with postnatal depressionBoth parents and baby relax togetherPromotes lactation in breastfeeding mums (through stimulation of hormones)Promotes nurturing instinct (through stimulation of hormone oxytocin)

(From The Guild of Infant & Child Massage website, www.gicm.org.uk, 2005)

Bonding and Baby Massage

Many parents have hectic lifestyles, juggling a host of responsibilities and activities, and many new mothers have the added stress of having to return to work due to financial commitments. Quality time with children can often be affected because of this and infant massage, an age old tradition, is simple, free, can be administered almost anywhere and has a host of emotional and physical benefits for both parents and baby.

Infant massage should be a pleasant experience for both the mother and the infant, and whilst it does not always come naturally to mothers/parents, it is not difficult and it can be learned from others practicing or from specially designed infant massage classes. The aim of these classes is to teach basic, safe strokes to parents whilst building their confidence in touching their babies. Through massage parents can learn how their babies communicate with them by understanding their baby's positive and negative cues; promoting understanding and a mutual respect for one another. The classes can also serve to help parents understand about over-stimulation of the baby and why babies cry and use self-calming techniques. Infant-massage also offers an opportunity for positive touch and early play, including music and rhymes in the infant massage classes. Studies have shown that using nursery rhymes can be a wonderful learning tool and can even enhance brain development of the child and in addition studies have shown that positive touch with infants leads to healthy physical and brain development

Strong attachment can develop a sense of security in a child and the child is more likely to grow up more self-assured and self-confident. As attachment is founded in the very early months, by its very definition Infant Massage has a profound effect on the emotional well-being of the infant and can be used to achieve a sense of security for the growing child. The emotional benefits of infant massage, such as quality, one-to-one loving touch, can also be experienced by fathers.It is important to involve older children too. Sibling rivalry can be a real issue when a new baby joins the family; involving the older child in the massage routine can help with feelings of resentment, perhaps massaging their teddy alongside or just holding the oil bottle!

A block of YogaBellies Baby Massage classes including oils, a CD and a handout.

To find your nearest YogaBellies Baby Massage class please click here