Tiger in the Tree Baby Massage
About
What is Baby Massage?
Techniques of massage and touch have been used in many cultures for thousands of years. Infant massage was introduced in Western cultures about 30 years ago to support the development of premature babies in intensive care units. However, its benefits are now beginning to be acknowledged for all babies and their carers.
Touch is the first sense to be develop in the womb and, says Frederick LeBoyer, ‘the first communication a baby receives’. Through touch babies learn about the world around them and perhaps, more importantly, about their relationships with others. Parents often communicate with babies through touch. If their baby cries, for example, parents will usually respond by picking them up and cuddling them so they feel safe, secure and loved. Baby massage is part of this natural instinct.
Infant massage is the gentle rhythmic stroking and sometimes manipulation of a baby’s body using the hands. Loving touch, including massage, releases oxytocin which helps to calm a baby and their parents! Massage is one of the easiest and most natural ways for parents and babies to let go of anxiety and tension, have fun and relax together, thereby improving bonding and attachment.
Who am I?
My name is Hazel Garner and first and foremost I’m a mum of two. Career wise, I have over 30 years experience of working with parents and children, first in teaching and then in Early Years. I have more than 7 years experience with the NCT as an antenatal and postnatal practitioner and in 2017, I trained to level 5 standard with the NCT to teach baby massage and am licensed by the charity. I have also since undertaken more baby massage training with Peter Walker. As a qualified baby massage instructor, I’ve taught with both the NCT and Busylizzy.
I absolutely love this job and believe there are so many benefits to baby massage which can last a lifetime. I particularly love having the chance to:
· Increase parents’ confidence in handling their babies and in responding to their needs.
· Enable parents to relax with their babies through enjoyable small group sessions.
· Encourage parents to set aside 1:1 quality time with their babies to promote bonding and attachment.
How does it work?
I offer short baby massage courses of 5 weekly sessions in small groups which I deliver as a private-affiliate business for the NCT. During the sessions, we gradually build up a top-to-toe routine, learning new strokes each week to add into the sequence so your baby has time to get used to being massaged. In week 1, we start with around 20 – 25 minutes of massage and in weeks 4 and 5, we complete the whole routine of around 40 minutes. The routine includes lots of singing. The songs and rhymes help to settle your baby and are fun as well as educational. However, it’s not all about the babies! You’ll have the opportunity to meet other new parents with babies at a similar stage and there’ll be a time for discussion about a range of topics on anything from teething to play at the end of each session.
The sessions are floor based so please wear something comfortable. In addition, you’ll need to bring your own baby massage oil (see information on oils) and a changing mat and towel for your baby to lie on. I will provide mats for you to sit on and will have spare towels available just in case!
I recommend that your baby has had their 6 – 8 week postnatal check with your GP before the start of the course as this might identify issues with development such as hip dysplasia which could affect the type of strokes you do with your baby.
