Benefits of Baby Massage:

• Improves digestion
• Improves sleep
• Improves circulation
• Promotes optimal growth
• Facilitates parent - baby attachment
• Improves muscle tone
• Improves body awareness
• Promotes relaxation
• Relieves distress
• Improves immune function

It is estimated that stress contributes to 60-90% of all illnesses.   Baby Massage can help by reducing stress hormones in your baby's body.   Gentle touch and massage help your baby learn to effectively cope with stress.  This builds resiliency and your baby's body can be free to complete it's healing processes.

Babies communicate with us by using their body language and facial expressions, as well as vocalizations.    While learning baby massage, you will have the opportunity to learn to read and respond to your baby's body language.     You will also use eye contact and facial expressions to encourage a back and forth exchange between you and your baby.  This helps your baby learn to regulate their emotions and is the beginning of language! 

Body language signs that your baby is enjoying touch:

• smiling
• relaxed facial expression
• eye contact
• cooing
• slow and gentle movements of arms or legs
• grasping with hands

Body language signs that your baby needs a break:

• turning head strongly to one side or the other
• fussing
• holding hand open in front of face
• pulling arm or leg away
• worried look
• crying

 It is important for you to be relaxed while you are massaging your baby's body.   It is recommended to take a few minutes before the massage to take several deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth, deep and slow.    Place any frustrations or concerns to the side for this special time.    This helps you be completely present in the moment for your child.  This enhances the connection to your child and fills your baby's heart with an unconditional love feeling.

Recommended oils for baby massage:

• 100% grapeseed oil
• 100% jojoba oil
• 100% virgin organic coconut oil (unrefined)
• 100% olive oil
• 100% almond oil
• 100% sesame oil

Organic, unrefined, cold pressed oils are recommended.

An important principle of Baby Massage is that you are interacting with your baby.   You are not doing something to him or her.    This is a part of your relationship with your child.   A baby's social and emotional development is directly affected by positive experiences with touch.  

 Baby massage provides positive touch experiences for your baby. 

Research proves the benefits of baby massage over and over.   Click on the website below and read some fascinating results!

Tiffany Field, The Touch Research Institute  www.miami.edu/touch-research/

Community Infant Massage Classes: 

Please call to book a community class or for more information.  351-1367

Please see www.theplaceforfamilies.com Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center for additional classes

I also teach private classes in your home.

Schedule a 30 minute newborn massage class for your baby shower or 60 minutes for Mom and Baby Play Group

Call or email to schedule.