INFANT MASSAGE CLASSES

Provided by Anne Cifuentes

Suite 4 / 151 Cotlew Street, Ashmore, on the Gold Coast.

Learning to massage your baby can be done when your baby is 2 - 6 weeks old, 2 - 6 months old or indeed at any age.   Your baby's physical and emotional development can be enhanced by the enormous range of benefits listed below. 

Just as important is that massage is fun for you and your baby, provides a wonderful closeness and teaches your baby about loving, nurturing and appropriate touch.

As a Midwife and mother, the classes are also an opportunity to discuss other issues related to your baby and motherhood, with Anne and the other participants.

During the class, Anne will perform the massage on a doll, while you follow the steps with your baby.  The classes are relaxed and paced to allow for nappy changing, feeding or settling your baby.

Infant Massage Course Curriculum includes:

• Benefits of infant massage
• Appropriate oils to use
• Recognising cues for massage time
• Massage routine for the whole body
• Contraindications for massage
• Specific routine for colic, wind and constipation
• Exercises for flexibility and to assist Lymphatic drainage.
• Massage for older children and adolescents.

Benefits include:

• Massage releases both oxytocin and endorphins and can assist in relieving discomfort from teething, chest or sinus congestion, colic, wind or constipation.
• Relaxation and release of emotional stress.
• Enhances neurological development.
• Teaches infants that touch is a form of expression and increases infant's body awareness and improves sensory awareness.
• May help some infants sleep longer.
• Helps tone muscles and aids growth.
• Enhances the bonding process.
• Strengthens the immune system.
• Increases circulation and oxygen and nutrient flow to the cells.
• Helps encourage midline orientation, which assists with co-ordination and balance.
• Teaches children from birth that they are in charge of their own body and that it is OK for them to say no to people touching them.
• Is relaxing and fun for parents.   Massage provides quality time with a working parent and is a great way for fathers to be involved.
• Increases the parent's ability to help relax their child in times of stress.
• Infant massage is fun!

Infant massage can also benefit children with special needs such as:

• Babies born prematurely
• Hypo or hyper-tonic infants
• Asthma, Autistic Spectrum Disorders
• ADD, ADHD, Depression, Dermatitis
• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes
• Infant massage may also be of great benefit for those mothers suffering from Postnatal Depression.

INFANT MASSAGE CLASSES ARE AVAILABLE AS SMALL GROUP CLASSES 
(max. 4 PARENTS) OVER 4 WEEKS, OR PRIVATE SESSIONS OVER 2 WEEKS.

Please see the other pages regarding class dates and fees, or contact Anne for any enquiries.

 * A great gift for a new mother and baby.

• Please bring a change mat and 2 towels

• Oil will be provided during the class and parent manuals and oils will also be available for purchase.