BABY MASSAGE
Baby massage can make a profound impact on an infant’s growth, overall health, and the bond they share with a caregiver. All human beings, even the smallest ones, require nurturing touch in order to develop and thrive. Baby massage during infancy is one of the areas of massage that has been extensively studied. Click on the following links to learn more about the research showing that it helps with pre-term infant weight gain and enhances neurological integration. It can improve their digestion, regulate sleep, and improve motor skills. Perhaps most importantly; infant massage is shown to help mothers experiencing perinatal mood disorders (PMADs) manage their symptoms and positively improve their interactions with their newborns.
At this time, baby massage classes are taught privately to care givers and their infant in office. There is space for up to two care givers and one child in the treatment room. As long as your baby is healthy, you may start infant massage at any time after birth. The goal is to teach you the principles and techniques of baby massage so that you can continue the practice at home. Before children are able to give their own verbal consent, a bonded and trusted parent/care giver should be the one performing the massage. At it’s heart, massage therapy is all about healthy, positive and nurturing touch and parents and guardians are the best people for the job of introducing that concept to their little ones.
Classes are one hour and the fee is $115 including GST. Parents or care givers will receive a take home manual, a small bottle of hypoallergenic, food grade oil and follow-up email and/or phone support from after the session. If your baby has already been added to your extended health plan, it may be possible to direct bill your insurance provider for the class. For more details about direct billing for extended health plans, click here.
For more information, please contact the office. If booking online, please try to choose a time when your baby will be alert yet relaxed (such as just after nap time), and will have fed within the last hour, but not within 30 minutes prior to the start of the session. This will greatly increase the likelihood that your baby will be calm and receptive to receiving a massage.