"I believe that babies are human beings who deserve respect, tenderness and warmth, and above all a listening heart. When we listen to our babies with our hearts, we discover whatever it is that we want to know."

(Vimala McClure, IAIM Founder)

BABY MASSAGE THERAPY (IAIM)

  • Baby massage has been a longstanding parenting tradition in many cultures across the world, such as in India and Africa, being introduced to the western world over the last 30 years.

    Baba & Belly supports the International Association of Infant Massage programme, a very well respected, thoroughly researched programme and has been endorsed to be an incredibly high quality parent education programme worldwide.

    This beautiful therapy gently draws from both the Indian and Swedish traditions, as well as incorporating principles from yoga and reflexology. This offers a wonderful experience and a special time for you to bond, communicate and just ‘be’ with your baby, so that they feel loved, valued and respected.

  • In terms of how massage and nurturing touch can support your baby, we tend to look at four ‘benefit’ pillars, these include:

    Interaction and bonding
    Helping your baby to feel securely attached.
    Helping your baby to feel more loved, valued and respected.

    Relaxation
    To help reduce crying and emotional distress.
    Supporting increased levels of relaxation and longer sleep patterns.

    Relief
    To aid in relief from wind, colic, constipation and teething discomfort.

    Stimulation
    Development of body awareness and coordination.

    However, there are many more areas of support that will not only benefit your baby, but will also support you and your family as a whole – and as a parent or primary caregiver, baby massage will support you in the following ways:
    Feeling closer to your baby
    Gaining a deeper understanding of your baby's behaviour, needs and body language
    Providing a wonderful opportunity to spend one-to-one bonding time with your baby
    Feeling the relaxing effects that giving your baby a massage gives you
    Increased confidence in your ability to care for and nurture your baby.
    Learning a wonderful life-long parenting skill.

  • Our baby massage courses offers a wonderful opportunity for you to learn how to communicate with your baby through nurturing touch and massage, in a relaxed, welcoming and nurturing environment – for both you and your baby.

    Your baby is very welcome in all of their states (whether they need to feed, sleep or have a little cry), and the sessions will be very much baby led.

    ‘Mothering the mother’ is also very important here at Baba & Belly, so this is as much a time for you to bond with other parents and have the opportunity to be looked after and nurtured yourself during the course.

    There are lots of teaching elements to the course, however the main aspects of your learning will include massage stokes for legs & feet, tummy, chest, arms & hands, face, back, a colic routine, along with gentle movements and touch relaxation.

    An integral part of the programme is to discuss a little bit of theory each week. We will cover topics such as behavioural states, infant cues, the best conditions for massage, beneficial oils to consider, infant reflexes, how to adapt the strokes for your baby's individual needs and adaptations for your growing child, and much more.

    Classes are intentionally kept small (up to 5 adults and babies together), so that you can learn, experience, bond and just ‘be’, together in a safe, secure and nurtured space.

  • Our baby massage course consists of one class a week for 5 consecutive weeks. Each class begins at 10am and lasts between 60-90 minutes (depending on the course content). Doors will be open at 9.45am, so you can get settled and have a cuppa!

    COURSE DATES FOR 2025

    Course BM270225 (Thursday's)

    • 27th Feb • 6th Mar • 13th Mar • 20th Mar • 27th Mar

    Course BM240425 (Thursday's)

    • 24th Apr • 1st May • 8th May • 15th May • 22nd May

    COURSE FEES:

    £65 payable in total for the whole 5 week course.

    Click on the button below to contact us and book onto a course.

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