QUEST INFANT MASSAGE Why should parents massage their babies? The first few months after the birth of a baby can be both joyful and challenging. Baby massage classes can help support parents through this time of change by allowing them the time and space to nurture themselves as well as their babies. Clinical evidence shows that loving, touching, nurturing contact between parent and baby has a positive impact on subsequent development.  For the baby, a massage is far more than a luxurious experience or physical therapy. It is a tool for maintaining health and well being on many different levels, as well as providing parent and baby with time to bond, relax and communicate with one another. Research Recent research has illustrated the particular benefits for premature infants; children with asthma, diabetes and certain skin disorders. Mothers with post-natal depression have achieved closer relationships with their babies through baby massage. Cross-cultural studies show that babies who are held, massaged, carried, rocked and breastfed, grow into adults that are less aggressive and violent and are more compassionate and cooperative. Why massage your baby? Although baby massage is relatively new to this country, for cultures such as those in India, massage is an important part of a baby's daily routine and the family's way of life. More than a pleasurable experience for the participants, evidence shows that loving, touching, nurturing contact between parents and babies has a positive impact on subsequent development. Benefits for babies can include:      Q Develops their first language, which is mainly touch          Q Enhances their feeling of being loved, respected and secure                Q Helps to strengthen and regulate their digestive, respiratory and                    circulatory systems                    Q Relieves symptoms of colic, gas and constipation                          Q Calmed nervous system leads to more restful sleep                              Q Teaches babies how to be aware of their body's                                    tension and how to release it, an invaluable gift as                                        they grow into adulthood Benefits that parents identify:      Q Develops confidence when handling their baby          Q Enhances loving communication, helping parents to understand and                respond to their baby's non-verbal language                Q Provides 'permission' to relax together with their baby                    Q Increases awareness of baby's growth and development   “Being held, touched and caressed is like food to the baby, as necessary as minerals, vitamins and proteins”   Bonding Bonding is a loving emotional connection between parent and child, which is formed and strengthened over time. Research has shown that healthy physical and emotional development depends on successful early bonding. The establishment of this bond between parent and child is a complex process involving several elements. The IAIM infant massage programme incorporates all of these critical elements of bonding and attachment; namely skin contact (touching or holding), smell, making eye contact, facial expressions and vocalisation (talking, making soothing sounds, or singing) in a safe environment. Oxytocin – The 'Cuddle Hormone' Parents instinctively know that holding and stroking calms children and scientists have now shown that very gentle touch, even something as simple as a hug releases the hormone oxytocin. Its effects are to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and pain and promote relaxation. What is more, the benefits are two-way: when you massage your child your own stress hormone levels improve and your blood pressure lowers. Stimulation Massaging your baby can stimulate their major systems, for instance, massage stimulates their nervous system. Each nerve has a protective covering around it, called the myelin sheath, which speeds the transmission of impulses from the brain to the rest of the body. The process of coating the nerves (myelination) continues even after birth and natural sensory stimulation, such as massage, speeds this process. In addition, the stimulation provided by your loving touch is a natural kind that is relevant to the baby's world, more so than artificially created toys or videos. Studies with premature babies have demonstrated that massage also strengthens and regulates the respiratory, circulatory and gastrointestinal systems. Stimulating the immune system through massage increases your baby's resistance to disease. In addition, the increased intimacy with your baby that massage brings gives you the ability to recognise changes and potentially catch illnesses early on. Course Details A course in Baby Massage lasts five weeks and is for babies from six weeks to crawling. Groups are small (between six and eight) and advanced booking is necessary. Each session is about an hour and a quarter and includes relaxation for parents, massaging a different part of your baby’s body each week, refreshments and chat about parenting issues.  The course fee includes a file with stroke review, course notes and articles, a bottle of massage oil, all refreshments and a course certificate. Courses are available in the East and North Yorkshire area. These courses are a great opportunity to meet other parents or a group of friends can get together to organise their own course in their home. One to one sessions in your home may suit you best and can include your partner and older children.  If your baby is already crawling it's not too late to start massaging but a one-to-one session is recommended. To reserve a place on a course, or for further information about Baby Massage, please contact us. Course fee £30. For Discounts and Special Offers, click here.