Infant Massage
Infant massage is a relatively new holistic therapy. It was first introduced in to the USA in the mid to late 1970’s and has more recently made its way to Ireland. Inspired by Indian tradition it has been rediscovered and redesigned to fit in to western society.
Classes
Infant massage is delivered over a series of 5 x 2-hour classes during which time you learn to deliver practical massage as well as learning theory such as infant anatomy and physiology, childhood disease, products to use/to avoid, baby cues and sleep patterns. Classes also allows time for valuable discussion between parents.
| Infant massage | €100 – 5 x 2 hour classes | Register your interest |
There are many benefits of infant massage to both baby and caregiver.
Baby Benefits
- Stimulates baby’s circulation
- Boosts immunity
- Aids lymphatic system
- It can aid digestion and elimination – provides relief from colic, constipation and wind
- Infant massage helps muscular coordination
- Aids flexibility
- Encourages faster weight gain and development
- Stimulating endorphins through massage helps aid pain relief
- Reduces tension and stress
- Promotes fuller and deeper breathing helping baby to relax and providing more oxygen for growth and development
- Stimulation of the skin improves skin texture and condition
- Stimulates nervous system and neurological developments
- Reduces tension, restlessness and irritability
- Promotes relaxation
- Induces deeper and longer sleep
- Gives babies reassurance through contact
- Provides time for parent and child activity
Parent / Caregiver Benefits
- Deepens and strengthens the bond between parent and child
- Increases production of breast milk in new mothers
- Helps parents relax
- Helps parents read baby’s cues and signals
- Helps parents interpret needs of baby
- Enhances communication between parent and child
- Helps parents develop confidence in handling their baby
- Can help reduce stress in baby and parent helping both to cope more easily
- Increase parents ability to relax baby in times of stress
- Provides time for just baby and parent
- Provides positive parenting tool for parents and child
Benefits for Premature Babies
Studies have shown the vast improvement that massage can make to premature infants – on average allowing them to leave the hospital a full six days earlier than other babies and giving them an average of 47% higher weight gain. Research in to infant massage is continuing and with more benefits being discovered on a regular basis.
The class is divided in to practical massage as well as theory such as infant anatomy and physiology, childhood disease, products to use/to avoid, baby cues and sleep patterns and also allows time for discussion between parents. Overall participants of the classes thus far have found it an enjoyable class and rewarding for both parent and baby.
Client Feedback
“I had read about infant massage in Holles St and wanted to give it a go so was delighted when I came across Deirdre’s class. The movements are simple and Deirdre demonstrated them clearly to me. I use the stomach movements to help ease my little girl’s colic and stomach pains. I find that it really helps her with the discomfort and also she usually nods off after which is great! I’ve already recommended the class to all of my friends” Niamh – first time mother - 3-month old girl
“My 10 month old boy was suffering terribly with teething symptoms and nothing I could do was helping. I was surprised at how well he took to the massage even in class. I was shown some ways to adapt given that he’s at a very active age and it made it easy to work on him regardless of whether he was sitting up playing or lying down snoozing. The oil used helped his skin which had been very irritated around his face and he seemed to love the facial movements. Now I do the massage mostly around bath time or at bedtime as it helps to settle him down for the night. He loves it and so I love it!” Deborah – first time mother – 10-month old boy