Infant Massage Class Schedule

I am a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.  I teach the Loving Touch® Parent-Infant Massage Program.  In my class you will learn about the many benefits your baby will receive through massage. You will also:

• learn a full body massage routine using several different strokes
• learn how to better read cues your infant is sending you
• form a stronger attachment with your child
• develop a sense of security, trust, and confidence for you and your child
• provide your child with an understanding of healthy touch
• teach your child that they are in control of who touchs their body and how their body is touched

I provide infant massage training to new parents in their home or in group settings. View our class schedule to pre-register for a group or private class. Call 503-645-2650 to learn how you can get this training for free by hosting a group class in the comfort of your own home.

More About Infant Massage

Touch is the first sense to develop and is vital for the development of attachment behavior and early social development. In fact, the sense of touch has been detected in embryos less than eight weeks old. In cultures where touching is the norm, adult aggression is low and there is more compassion and cooperation. In many cultures, infant massage is performed at least once daily during the first several months of life. As the baby begins to develop and become more mobile, the massages may be tapered off to be offered to the infant once every few days. The massage is offered, not given, to the infant, because he needs to develop the understanding that he is in control of who touches him and how his body is touched; this will let him know that you respect him.

Infant massage is much different from adult massage. Infants do not have muscles that have become knotted with tension over the years, so the massage is more about communication than manipulation. Infant massage is a two way communication that promotes bonding and a better understanding of the cues your baby uses to let you know what his needs are.  Through this type of interaction he will learn about healthy, respectful touch.

Most studies of the benefits of infant massage have been performed on premature infants. However, the benefits are certainly appropriate to full-term infants. Not only does the infant derive many benefits from massage, but the parent does as well.

Massage benefits that have been noted for infants include:

• Becomes more aware of his body
• Increased self-esteem
• Increased sense of love, acceptance, respect and trust
• Enhances communication
• Improves relaxation and release of accumulated stress
• Improves circulation, digestion, elimination and respiration
• Strengthens gastrointestinal system
• Increased weight gain
• Reduces discomfort from gas, colic, teething, congestion and emotional stress
• Improves sleep patterns
• Increases hormonal function
• Promotes bonding and attachment