Baby Massage – a DIY Spa Session For You and Baby

We all love a good massage and our babies are no different. As new mums the idea of a spa day may seem as likely as a good night’s sleep but a little bit of focused pampering for baby can have a peaceful effect on us too, and with the demands of being a parent surely we should take any relaxing opportunity we can get!

The easiest way to learn how to massage your baby is to go to a class where you will be guided through a range of massage strokes and learn more about how these support your little one’s development. When done effectively the benefits of baby massage are enormous for yourself and your little one.

Here are a few more reasons to give baby massage a try.

Why Should I Take My Baby to a Baby Massage Class?

• Massage is a beautiful way to bond with, and get to know your baby and it can also be done by other care givers. It is a soothing activity that can be done at any time of the day but is especially useful for promoting a healthy bedtime routine and encourage your baby (and often you) to sleep.

• There is plenty of evidence that baby massage has lots of health benefits for baby, in particular it can help the process of digestion which can cause so much grief for so many babies. This actually reduces the amount of time a baby cries for.

• Baby massage is even good for pain relief. Many parents highly recommend it during the frustrating teething months. This is because when the body is relaxed and calm it is able to process pain better, and there are even specific strokes that help with teething pain.

• When you are taught baby massage at a class like Tots Play it is fun and interactive. The process is accompanied by gentle songs and rhymes. This interaction is proven to improve the development of children’s mental and social abilities.

• When baby massage is done effectively it supports the physical development of your baby, including muscle tone, and co-ordination. There is evidence that premature babies actually grow stronger when they have had regular baby massage sessions. Another study found that newborns with jaundice recover more quickly with massage. If it can have such a positive effect on the most vulnerable of infants just think of the impact it could have on your own little one.

• When you attend a baby massage session you will be encouraged to use specific oils, perfect for the job. Using oils in baby massage makes the experience very pleasurable for both of you but it also has a surprising side effect. There is a key nerve that connects the brain with the stomach called the vagus, baby massage with oil stimulates this nerve which improves bowl movements. The result of which can be seen on the weighing scales, a regularly massaged baby is more likely to have a healthy weight gain.

• Baby massage regulates your baby’s heart rate, nervous system and even brain activity.

These are all fabulous reasons to get you and your baby signed up for baby massage classes but one of the simplest reasons is that it is fun, and a great way to enjoy special time with your baby.

Learn Massage with Tots Play

Massage is just one of the activities we cover during our 6 week Baby Development course, where you can learn a simple, full body massage routine to share with your little one, including a special routine to help relieve colic symptoms. You don't even need to worry about whether you will remember all the strokes when you get home as you receive a full colour workbook with details of what you learned at each session to remind you and make it easy to show other family members so they can have a go too.

And So Much More..

In addition to massage the Baby Development course also introduces you and your baby to baby yoga, calming techniques, tummy time play, sign language, sensory play and more. As this course is especially for younger babies (birth to 6 months) it is also a great place to meet other parents with babies at a similar stage, helping to form a valuable support network and friendships along the way.

Take a look at the video to see a little of our Baby Development classes in action, then click HERE to find your nearest course and book your place today. Classes for older babies and toddlers are also available to continue the fun and learning.

These early days with your baby are such a special time, and sharing massage with your little one is a lovely way to enjoy getting to know each other. At Tots Play we are here to support you on this amazing journey, so whether you join us at classes or enjoy massage together at home, have a wonderful time with your little one, and happy playing!