Baby Massage

"Massage is a lovely way for you to express your love and care for your baby. Massage can soothe your baby and aid sleep as well as being a great way for you and your partner to bond with your baby. Massage has many added benefits, including aiding digestion, improving circulation and easing teething pain".

A month ago or so me and L have attended a 5 week course run by one of the local children centres. We had to miss the very 1st class because of my back problems (as I couldn't pick L up, basically couldn't do anything without a help), but as it is the only class in our area I couldn't miss the opportunity. We paid £15 for 5 weeks , normally you would have to pay £45 for one private session, as well as we were picked up by a minibus who took us there and back for free.

Each session started with mums picking up babies and giving them cuddles and kisses, followed by singing "The more we get together song". Then we sang "If you happy and you know it", "Head, shoulders, knees and toes" whilst showing or pointing to baby at her body parts.

Whilst babies were in a good, smiley mood we put them onto a changing mat, undressed them and started massaging with oil.

During massage we concentrated on baby's tummy, legs, toes, arms, hands.

After massaging we did something which I didn't expect it to be, it was a fun, sensory way of interacting with your baby. We had all sorts of toys and things which we can find in our house and introduced them to babies.

At the very end of the session we put babies in the circle, and sang "Twinkle, twinkle" whilst holding a "parachute" or blanket with stars. At this point some of them were asleep giving mums a chance to complete a scrap book with fun stickers and photos from previous session.

I really enjoyed these session, L was a bit fussy in last 2, but we both learnt so much.