Baby Massage and Reflexology
Baby Massage has been around for a very long time and is used in many cultures throughout the world. In the past couple of decades it has made a resurgance in the West and the many benefits of massage are being enjoyed and appreciated by parents, babies and others.
Your loving touch can do wonders for your baby. Apart from the various physical health benefits, baby massage can enhance your baby's attachment and bonding with you. It offers a wonderful opportunity to communicate both verbally and non-verbally with your baby, so that they feel loved, understood and respected.
Baby Massage is a simple skill that is easy to learn and fairly intuitive. A class per week for about 5 weeks can teach you all you need to know, and provide you and your baby with a truly enjoyable and relaxing experience. As an experienced reflexologist I will also demonstrate reflexology techniques that support your babies health.
Your loving touch can do wonders for your baby. Apart from the various physical health benefits, baby massage can enhance your baby's attachment and bonding with you. It offers a wonderful opportunity to communicate both verbally and non-verbally with your baby, so that they feel loved, understood and respected.
Baby Massage is a simple skill that is easy to learn and fairly intuitive. A class per week for about 5 weeks can teach you all you need to know, and provide you and your baby with a truly enjoyable and relaxing experience. As an experienced reflexologist I will also demonstrate reflexology techniques that support your babies health.
"Fiona created a wonderfully warm, welcoming and totally relaxed vibe which instantly rubbed off on me and my daughter making us feel at ease. The opportunity to learn about massage, meet other mums and to chat about the joys and the challenges of newborns with someone as experienced and knowledgeable as Fiona was so useful and reassuring. My baby had issues with wind and using the techniques I learned at the class has made a big improvement in both our lives." (Heather)
"Thank you Fiona for a fantastic block of baby massage sessions. As a massage therapist myself, I can really appreciate someone making massage easy to understand and showing so much care and dedication to her work. The hot drink and biscuit at the end made the session all the more enjoying for a chance to catch up with all the mammas & babies, which you don’t always get a chance to do in other classes.
I cannot recommend Fiona enough for the lovely memories she has given my little boy & myself during maternity leave. He now sleeps like a dream 🙂" (Rachel)
Fiona's baby massage class was fantastic. She is very warm and supportive and creates a lovely and calm environment which is brilliant for baby massage, but also for parents to talk and share their experiences. The tea and treats part of the class was perfect for making friends and feeling reassured. The massage itself was great and set up a strong foundation for doing this with our babies regularly. Fiona also suggested specific baby massage techniques for things like indigestion and constipation which was very helpful. (Emily)
"Me and baby Oney did a few weeks of online baby massage with Fiona during lockdown.The weekly sessions were lovely and added a bit of routine to our week. Oney really enjoyed the massage and it was a lovely bonding experience between us. I also enjoyed the chats and advice throughout the weeks." (Edel)
"We had a delightful experience of baby massage with Fiona. I did it by Zoom with two older children messing about. I was so pleasantly surprised how much the older children enjoyed it too. They had their dolls. And my daughter who was two months old had a great time. It was lovely to give her that special attention and she seemed so relaxed and happy throughout the treatments. Thanks so much Fiona for your adaptability and sharing your knowledge with us." (Aoife, Mum of three)
"Thank you Fiona for a fantastic block of baby massage sessions. As a massage therapist myself, I can really appreciate someone making massage easy to understand and showing so much care and dedication to her work. The hot drink and biscuit at the end made the session all the more enjoying for a chance to catch up with all the mammas & babies, which you don’t always get a chance to do in other classes.
I cannot recommend Fiona enough for the lovely memories she has given my little boy & myself during maternity leave. He now sleeps like a dream 🙂" (Rachel)
Fiona's baby massage class was fantastic. She is very warm and supportive and creates a lovely and calm environment which is brilliant for baby massage, but also for parents to talk and share their experiences. The tea and treats part of the class was perfect for making friends and feeling reassured. The massage itself was great and set up a strong foundation for doing this with our babies regularly. Fiona also suggested specific baby massage techniques for things like indigestion and constipation which was very helpful. (Emily)
"Me and baby Oney did a few weeks of online baby massage with Fiona during lockdown.The weekly sessions were lovely and added a bit of routine to our week. Oney really enjoyed the massage and it was a lovely bonding experience between us. I also enjoyed the chats and advice throughout the weeks." (Edel)
"We had a delightful experience of baby massage with Fiona. I did it by Zoom with two older children messing about. I was so pleasantly surprised how much the older children enjoyed it too. They had their dolls. And my daughter who was two months old had a great time. It was lovely to give her that special attention and she seemed so relaxed and happy throughout the treatments. Thanks so much Fiona for your adaptability and sharing your knowledge with us." (Aoife, Mum of three)
Benefits of Baby Massage
Multiple studies have proven that there are many and varied health benefits to baby massage and reflexology, studies show that massage promotes infant growth and development. It stimulates the nervous system, increases blood flow, strengthens the immune system, stimulates the digestive system, improves sleep, and can relieve gas pains and colic. Massage can help both infant and parent relax and enhance their attachment and bonding. Stimulating reflex points in the babies foot can enhance their overall health and well being, and improve specific issues such as digestion, constipation, teething, sleep and many more.
Regular massage with your baby can support them with the following:
Regular massage with your baby can support them with the following:
- Improved Sleep - Regular massage helps produce seretonin, a feel good horomone, which is turned into melatonin which can help babies sleep better.
- Better Digestion - Regular abdominal massage can stimulate the gut so that babies absorb their food better, can pass wind more easily and have improved bowel movements. It can help stimulate the development of the baby’s gut and help to ease reflux.
- Ease Growing Pains - The firm pressure of massage, helps babies feel less pain from growing and teething discomfort.
- Promote Attachment and Bonding - Focused 1:1 time with maintained eye contact, singing and the firm touch of massage helps babies to feel safe and securely attach to their primary care giver. Touch is one of the best ways to express love to your baby.
- Facilitate Communication - Your focussed attention may help your baby to feel more understood, valued and respected.
- Enhance their immune system - Massage stimulates the circulation which in turns aids lymphatic drainage, helping the body to get rid of toxins. Their white blood cell count can also improve.
- Aid neurological development - Regular massage helps speed up the develpment of myelin sheath around the nerves. This in turn helps with better mind/body communication. It can aid coordination and the development of body awareness.
- Reduce Emotional Distress - It's important for babies to cry, it's how they communicate their needs and develop their lungs. However massage can help you pick up on what your baby is communicating more effectively and may help reduce their emotional distress.
Baby massage also supports the care giver in the following ways:
- Bonding - Massage supports you in bonding with your baby. It is especially valuable for those with postnatal depression, vulnerable parents and any parent faced with the challenges of a new baby.
- Easing of Parental Role - Babies who receive regular massage tend to be less fussy, sleep better, have less digestive issues, thus making the role of parenting easier.
- Enhancing Confidence - Baby massage encourages you in becoming more confident in handling your baby and in your ability to care for your baby.
- Improved Communication - Loving touch is an essential form of communication and with focussed attention during massage parents learn to recognise their baby’s needs and other cues more effectively, thus positive interactions can be enhanced. Massage can hep you gain a deeper understanding of your baby's behaviour, crying and body language.
- Social Engagment - Interaction with other adults can be invaluable for new parents and provide something to look forward to in your diary. In baby massage sessions, other baby care topics can be shared and discussed.
- Relaxation - The baby massage lesson is a relaxing and nurturing space for you as well as your baby. It's an opportunity to have enjoyable time with your baby and feel the relaxing effects of giving a massage.
- Postnatal Depression - Baby massage is one of the best ways to help you recover from postnatal depression. The increased mental and emotional bond with your baby will help you overcome the challenges.
- Education - Learn a life long skill. A baby massge course can empower you with new skills to support your baby in it's development and growth.
Details and contact
I teach baby massage to caregivers on a 1:1 or small group basis in Findhorn, Forres and surrounding areas or online. Get in touch for more information or with any questions on 07846 118454 or email [email protected].
The cost for a series of 5 classes is £55 or £20 a session if on a 1:1 basis (discounts are available, so please don't let cost prevent you from joining in). This includes oil and handouts for massage techniques/reflexology points and accompanying rhymes. The next course scheduled begins Feb 21st (not Mar 6th) in the lovely underfloor heated Sunshine Room in Findhorn.
I look forward to connecting and supporting you in your massage journey with your baby.
The cost for a series of 5 classes is £55 or £20 a session if on a 1:1 basis (discounts are available, so please don't let cost prevent you from joining in). This includes oil and handouts for massage techniques/reflexology points and accompanying rhymes. The next course scheduled begins Feb 21st (not Mar 6th) in the lovely underfloor heated Sunshine Room in Findhorn.
I look forward to connecting and supporting you in your massage journey with your baby.