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Amanda Denton

07515 123124

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© 2008 Amanda Denton


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Benifits of massage for baby
  • Strengthens immune system
  • Helps baby learn to relax 
  • Improves skin condition and muscel tone 
  • Promotes better sleep 
  • Develops flexibility, strength and stamina 
  • Helps postural development 
  • Promotes bonding and communication 
  • Helps to regulate digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems 
  • Helps relieve discomfort from wind, colic, congestion and constipation 
  • Decreases production of stress hormones 
  • Aids relief from pain caused by colic 
  • Releases both oxytocin and endorphins which are natural pain relievers 
  • Enhances baby’s feeling of being loved, respected and secure

Benifits of massage for parents
  • Provides a special focused time that helps deepen bonding 
  • Helps parents to understand and respond appropriately to baby's nonverbal cues 
  • Promotes feelings of competence and confidence in caring for baby 
  • Improves parent-infant communication 
  • Increases parents' ability to help child relax in times of stress 
  • Eases stress of parent who must be separated from child during the day Other benefits
  • Cross-cultural studies show that babies who are held, massaged, carried, rocked and breast-fed grow into adults that are less aggressive and violent, and are more compassionate and co-operative 
  • Recent research shows benefits for premature infants, children with asthma, diabetes, and certain skin disorders 
  • Mothers with post-natal depression have shown improvement after starting baby massage 
  • Teenage mothers have shown improved bonding behaviour and interaction with their babies. 
  • The group environment of baby massage classes gives parents a support network.
Developmental baby massage introduces techniques which will encourage your baby's development and structural fitness. The classes are both relaxing and fun for mother (and partners) and baby. My classes help promote muscular coordination and flexibility, aid digestion and strengthen your baby's immune system. Generally started from approx 6 - 8 weeks old and can continue through until 6 - 8 months

Baby massage is one of the most rewarding things you can experience with your new baby. It is a gentle caress which builds on the closeness you feel when you cuddle your baby.The quality of touch of parent to baby is a wonderful skill to develop, being the simplest and most effective way for parents to encourage their baby's growth and development, alleviate birth trauma and other early infant anxieties.


Baby Massage Classes
These can be one-to-one classes or a group to a maximum of 6 parents and babies to enable everyone to feel comfortable and able to learn in a friendly environment (depending on space). You can arrange the day and time to suit you. This is a lovely way to add an extra dimension to a coffee morning or postnatal get together. Classes are suitable for babies once they have had their six week check up to pre-crawling.


Prior To The Class
Please put a bit of oil on baby’s forearm the night before the class to ensure there is no allergic reaction. Before you massage your baby make sure your nails are short and you are not wearing any hand or wrist jewelery. Make yourself as comfortable as you can by wearing loose clothing. You may want to give your baby a light feed.


What To Bring
A changing mat or large cotton bath towel and any necessary changing equipment for your baby. Please use pure vegetable oil to massage your baby, with no scent or perfume. Oils such as grape seed, sunflower, calendula (Organic and cold-pressed) are the best for your baby’s skin. I don’t recommend Essential Oils or (Mineral) ‘Baby Oil’. No almond oil due to the possibility of baby having a nut allergy. 


Sessions last around 60 minutes. In each session we will relax and get settled in the first 10 mins, followed by a 30 min massage class. In the last 10 miniutes, once babies are dressed, there will be a chance for parents to discuss any issues they may be facing, and to support each other with ideas and feedback.