Infant Massage? Infant Massage is a parenting tradition that has been practiced in many cultures for centuries. Vimala McClure, the founder and president of the International Association of Infant Massage, encountered Infant Massage in 1973 while working at an orphanage in India. After returning to the U.S. she practiced the massage strokes on her own baby. She later wrote the pioneering book, Infant Massage, a Handbook for Loving Parents and developed a curriculum for massage classes focusing on parent-infant communication and bonding. Sessions provide parenting instruction and act as a parent support group.
Research studies have shown the positive impact on emotional and physical growth, development and well-being from skin-to-skin contact early on in a baby's life. Infant Massage is one of the most natural and enjoyable ways of nurturing and communication with a baby through touch.
Lovingly massaging helps babies develop a feel for their body parts parents/caregivers learn which areas of the body are most sensitive and which need relaxing. This loving touch can lessen fussiness, irritability, help baby to sleep better and decrease tension for parents/caregivers and baby. Massage can also aid digestion and provide some relief of colic and gas.
Both mothers and fathers, foster and adoptive parents/caregivers can use this special tool to experience quality time with baby. Even fathers who are novices in baby care get a hands-on course in baby handling. Through massage, parents become more aware of baby's nonverbal cues or body signals and begin to feel more "in touch" with the "whole" baby.
As a unique form of one-on-one parent/caregiver-infant communication, interactive infant massage promotes a connection or bonding which sends a message of mutual love and respect and builds self-esteem for both parents and child. Babies become more content and parents more confident in caring for the baby.
Serene Therapeutic Solutions offers Infant Massage Classes. The class series focuses on infants from ages 3 weeks to pre-crawling. Separate classes are offered for older infants and toddlers. The parents/caregivers attend with their baby/toddler. The fee is $80.00 for a private or group class series which includes four classes, a parents information packet and massage oil. Class size is limited to 5 babies. Transportation fee of $5.00 per family applies for class held in private homes with three to five babies, $10.00 transportation fee for one baby. The host family receives a $20.00 discount for hosting a class of 3 to 5 babies.
Organizations or Institutions please contact Patricia Carroll for schedules and fees.
Parents of a high-need, fussy or colicky baby may want to consider a private one-on-one Infant Massage session with the Infant Massage Instructor. For further information call Patricia Carroll at 314-438-8474, or e-mail Serene Therapeutic Solutions.
You can submit your information online by clicking this link Infant Massage Inquiry/Scheduling Form.