Rubs 4 Bubs
Baby Massage Classes
About Baby Massage
Infant massage is a vital interaction that helps to form the foundation of a relationship that will last a lifetime. Nurturing touch between a parent/caregiver and an infant enriches physiological, social-emotional, and mind/body/spirit connections for the infant being massaged, as well as for the parent.
Infant massage empowers parents and enhances bonding and attachment with your baby.
By learning infant massage you have a chance to discover your baby's unique qualities; by spending some one on one time with them that is positive, nurturing and relaxing.
For fathers infant massage is the perfect opportunity to take on that powerful father role early in your baby’s life. It is a safe situation where you are “allowed” to show your softer side and reconnect with your nurturing instincts.
Babies that experience the bonds of trust and love; the warmth and respect that are taught in infant massage, will carry this with them and grow to be caring and compassionate adults.
Information on Classes
About your tutor
Leah Hide is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage.
Leah is also a qualified Remedial Massage Therapist at Muscle Management.
Leah's interest in baby massage began when she trained as a Remedial Massage Therapist but became a passion after she had her son in 2013. She gives her son massages nearly every day.
Leah offers Infant Massage Classes at her clinic in Shelly Beach, Helensville or in the comfort of the home of a parent happy to host the classes from Helensville to West Auckland.
Who is it for?
I often get asked "what is the best age for my baby to start having baby massage?", and the answer is any time is a good time!
And the classes are available to anyone with a baby aged 0 - 12 months.
However most parents find that babies from the age of around 6 - 8 weeks old is perhaps more ideal due to the fact that they have longer alert phases and are therefore more receptive of the massage and as parent you will also get more from the classes.
If you have a baby that suffers from colic, starting younger can be beneficial.
Once your baby is crawling you will need to be more inventive with massage and adaptations can be made for your more active baby.
How the classes run
Infant massage classes are open to all families with babies of the age 0 - 12 months. The course runs over 5 sessions, usually one per week, for approx 60 mins in duration. This allows you to easily manage the new information and allows your baby time to cope with the wonderful experience of massage. It takes time for your baby to tolerate a full body massage so breaking the massage down allows for you both to learn over the 5 weeks, ensuring you get the true benefits from each session.
Only you or your partner will massage your baby while Leah demonstrates the movements on a massage doll; there is plenty of time in the classes to discuss any questions, meet other parents and to relax and enjoy this special time with your baby.