“Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food to the infant.
Food as necessary as minerals, vitamins, and proteins.”
— Dr. Frédérick Leboyer
Infant Massage is a beautiful way to bond with your baby
Infant Massage is not a fad - it is an ancient art that connects parents deeply with their babies by promoting nurturing touch and communication. It helps the parents to understand their baby’s particular nonverbal language and to respond with love and respectful listening.
Project Body teaches the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) programme where each week we will build on the massage, breaking it down into manageable sections at your baby’s pace that he/she can cope with, so that by week four you know a whole body massage with your baby.
Also, each week we allow time for a discussion topic that is common to parents e.g. baby not sleeping, feeding issues, colic/wind, unsettled babies etc. These discussions give parents the time and opportunity to share experiences and suggestions to help one another.
We use a combination of Indian and Swedish Massage strokes, Reflexology and gentle Yoga stretches. The massage strokes encourage circulation and relaxation, the Reflexology works on the feet to release tension elsewhere in the body, and the Yoga stretches help to develop suppleness in the muscles and joints.
The combined effect promotes:
brain development through better sensory awareness
relaxation for parent and child
better sleep patterns
easing of discomfort from growing pains, gas and constipation
emotional development through establishing a stronger bond
The Baby Massage Classes are run in 4-week-blocks at the Wānaka Plunket Rooms and the cost is $160
What’s included:
4 x 60 minutes sessions once per week (Mondays @ 11am)
Sweet almond massage oils
Handouts of all the massage strokes
Tips for mums (+ dads) on how to use Self-Myofascial Release for common pre- & postnatal body aches (think: massage balls)
Good Roots Treats in session #4 - because massage is hungry work!