Infant Massage

Newborn babies love touch, comfort and closeness to their people. Infant massage is an amazing way to express comfort and love to your baby and increase your connection, all while soothing and relaxing them.

What is infant massage?

Infant massage is done using gentle, rhythmic techniques to soothe and relax your baby and increase those feel good hormones. Our certified massage therapist can perform the techniques and can also instruct parents in how to perform massage so that they can continue at home. Techniques are taught for all of the different areas of the body from baby’s toes to their nose!

A baby safe/edible oil is used, since those tiny hands often end up in their mouths – usually safflower oil. Our massage therapist will guide and teach you techniques that might help with your baby’s muscle tension, restlessness, lack of sleep, digestive issues, colic and so much more.

It is advised that babies begin their infant massage training between 1 – 3 months of age. Older babies are welcome as well, though they can be a bit more squirmy, and may require more toys for distraction.

Benefits of an infant massage session include:

  • Relieves stress for both the baby and parent through relaxing techniques
  • Helps to foster a healthy bond between baby and parent (mom or dad, maybe even a grandparent!)
  • Stimulates the circulatory, nervous and gastrointestinal systems
  • Specific techniques help with digestive issues and symptoms of colic
  • Provides a time of quiet focus and increases the parents awareness of their baby’s non verbal cues
  • Sensory stimulation helps with development and motor coordination
  • Can regulate sleep patterns
  • Strengthens the immune system

What can I expect in a session?

Infant massage is often done in a group session. This creates a fun environment to make connections with other new moms in our community. However if you’d prefer, we are happy to facilitate a one-on-one session. Both session will be approximately 60 minutes in length.

During your session you’ll want the following:

  • Comfortable blanket for baby
  • Towel and an edible baby-safe oil (we supply both of these)
  • Extra diapers
  • Bottle or breast! Ideally it’s great to bring baby in between feedings but we know that’s impossible and sometimes a massage works up a bit of an appetite for your little one

We will teach you all the ways to understand your baby’s communication and how they express what they like and don’t like! You’ll learn about appropriate and effective pressure to use during the massage time and how to determine the optimal time of day to do massage with your baby!

Both group sessions and individual infant massage is covered under many private insurance policies, just like massage for adults. As always, we recommend that you check with your provider that your plan has massage therapy. You can book individual sessions. Please call our clinic to sign up for the next available group infant massage session.

Want to learn more? See our blog about this topic.

ReConnect Health offers a wide range of services including: acupuncture, pelvic floor physiotherapy, orthopaedic physiotherapy, breast health physiotherapy, psychology, massage therapy, and private gynecological services. We also provide engaging workshops, therapeutic group exercise, a caring community, and more.

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