What happens at a baby massage class? We’re joined by Helen Guntrip of Beckenham Baby Massage who runs five-week massage classes for parents and their babies to help nurture relaxation, communication and connection. She’s here to help you to understand what will happen at a baby massage class if you’ve never been to one before.
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1. A Warm Welcome
Baby massage courses are often one of the first classes parents attend with their baby. Getting out with a newborn and going to your first class can be daunting, especially in the first few months. Have you remembered everything you need? Is your baby going to cry or need a feed? Will someone judge you on your parenting skills? You’ll be asking yourself tons of questions, but rest assured that these fears will soon feel like distant memories when you walk in.
Your baby massage instructor will greet you with a smile and will create an environment that is calm and non-judgemental.
Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, disposable nappies or reusable: everything and everyone is welcome, come as you are. The room should be warm and comfortable, often with massage mats and oil provided. It’s a safe space where you can relax and talk to others.
2. You Might Not Massage Your Baby
It may sound strange, but you don’t have to massage your baby at a baby massage class. And often parents don’t!
This sounds odd, but actually it’s just because babies can be unpredictable. You can’t control how they’ll be feeling: they might be sleeping, feeding, crying or just not in the right mood for it. But that’s okay! Baby massage is not about the time that you spend in class. It’s about learning a life-long skill that you can use to help you connect and relax with your baby.
So basically: don’t worry if your baby cries, sleeps or feeds. You can learn the massage strokes, chat with other parents and take a moment to slow down and breathe. There will be plenty of time to massage your baby at other times in the comfort of your own home, so use the opportunity to enjoy the space and relax in a non-judgemental environment.
3. Learning The Best Time To Massage Your Baby
At your first class, you will be reassured that the sessions are baby-led, meaning that your baby’s needs come first. This can be a huge relief as parents realise that they’re are welcome to feed, change and settle their baby throughout the class.
You will learn the best time to massage your baby and begin to understand how to read their cues and infant reflexes. This is an important part of a baby massage course as it allows you to get to know your baby better. We also advise parents that it is best to massage their baby when they are awake and content.
4. Learning Massage Techniques To Relax You And Your Baby
You will learn about the cultural origins of baby massage and how this ancient practice was introduced to Western society. In the first week, I start by teaching the legs and feet massage as babies often respond well to this part of the body being touched. I also offer adaptations depending on the needs of your baby. Some babies’ sensory systems are ready for massage strokes whilst others will respond better to simply resting your warm hands on them.
Whilst massaging your baby I support parents to look for their baby’s engagement and disengagement cues to let you know how they are feeling and responding to the massage.
Parents are often keen to learn the colic relief routine, a specific massage that can help to soothe digestive discomfort caused by trapped wind and constipation.
Massaging your baby releases oxytocin, the hormone that makes them feel safe, relaxed and loved. The special thing about baby massage is that it can affect you in the same way, creating a loving, warm and nurturing interaction that helps you to connect and bond with each other.
5. You’ll Get To Meet Other Parents And Babies
One of the biggest benefits of attending a baby massage course is the opportunity to meet other parents with babies of a similar age who are navigating the ups and downs of parenthood. There is nothing quite like hearing other people’s stories of sleepless nights and worries to reassure you that you are not the only one.
In my classes, the same people attend every week so that the group gets to know each other well. Baby massage classes work best when the class size is kept small, enabling every member of the group to be seen and heard. This gives everyone the space to share their thoughts and feelings.
What Happens If My Baby Cries In Class?
I welcome crying in my class. Babies cry: it’s how they communicate and get their needs met. The truth is no one else minds your baby crying. In fact, most parents are probably relieved that another baby is crying.
It doesn’t disturb the class. In some classes the babies take it in turns, other times they all cry in chorus. Think how you feel after you’ve had a good cry – often it’s a release of tension and you feel better. Crying can indicate a physical need or maybe an emotional need.
No one is judging you or your baby. Everyone is there to support and learn from each other.
Why Do I Need to Ask My Baby’s Permission At A Massage Class?
You will also be taught to ask your baby’s permission before you massage them. This may sound bizarre at first, but it is so important.
By inviting your baby to have a massage by asking them, ‘Would you like a massage?’ or ‘Can I massage you?’, you are taking time to tune into how they are feeling. By looking at their cues: body movements and facial expressions you can tell if they are in the right mood to be massaged.
Talking to them and asking for their consent to be touched is about respecting them as individuals. You are teaching them from infancy that they are able to communicate their needs and feelings to you and that you will listen to and respect what they are ‘saying’.
Thanks To Helen Guntrip – Beckenham Baby Massage
Helen Guntrip founded Beckenham Baby Massage in 2011 when she trained with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM). She believes in the power of connection, communication and community to support parental and child mental health.
Helen is also a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist and Birthlight Baby and Preschool Yoga teacher, teaching Talk & Move courses to develop children’s speech, language and emotional regulation skills through movement.
Find them on Instagram: Talk & Move / Beckenham Baby Massage
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