Infant Massage – Loving Touch Techniques for Parents & Babies

Massage is a great way to connect to your baby. Studies have shown infant massage can help babies sleep better, gain weight, reduce fussiness, improve health and relax.

Massage has been show to support physical and sensory development infants.Parents who massage their babies often experience increased closeness to and understanding of their infants, reduced stress and post-natal depression, and simply enjoy a wonderful experience with their child.

Breathing Space offers private instruction, in-person or remotely, as well as group classes. Our instructors are experienced parents and early childhood educators specifically trained in infant massage education.

Infant Massage Classes – Live, Group Instruction

Classes through Breathing Space teach parents massage techniques in a progressive sequence over several weeks – focusing on different body parts each week, which provides an opportunity to practice strokes at home between lessons. The curriculum is progressive, so drop-ins are not allowed.

While massage is appropriate for babies almost immediately, the ideal time to start a group class is when your baby is 6 weeks-6 months old, but younger and older babies are welcome. The emphasis in class is on following the baby’s cues and learning the techniques to incorporate into your home routine. Upon learning the massage skill, infant massage techniques can be helpful all the way to adolescence. 

Bring your baby and your partner, if available. This is an excellent class for fathers! Pack a towel or baby blanket you do not mind getting oil on, a change of diapers, and clothes. Class sizes are kept small to ensure lots of personal attention. 

Please note: Fussing and crying are expected; Your baby’s voice is welcome. Please join us.

Upcoming Classes

Registration: Our classes are offered in 3-week series; registration is required. Each registration includes one child in the indicated age range plus up to two caregivers. Twins are welcome. No additional charge for 2nd twin when attending with only one caregiver; email to let us know you are bringing twins. Multiple caregivers attending with twins should register each child; sibling discount 50%.

Read our class policies here. Then, contact us with any questions.

Private Instruction - In Person or Remote

Breathing Space teaches time-tested massage techniques for a full-body infant massage and mini-sequences that can be worked into your family routines. 

Instruction can be at your location or ours. Pricing varies by the venue to account for rent or travel.

Frequently Asked Questions About Infant Massage

  • moms and babies in yoga classBaby Yoga & Play classes do use yoga mats, but most venues have enough to lend if you’d rather not carry one.
  • Please bring a baby blanket to cover our mats/blankets and a small toy to use during class.
  • Expect your baby to be a baby and know that their voice is welcome. Crying, eating, diaper changes, and sleeping is all perfectly fine during class.
  • Baby & Me Yoga at Hill CenterPlease bring only water or milk/formula in closed top containers into the yoga classroom. Feeding your baby – breast or bottle – is always welcome.
  • Please wear comfortable, stretchy clothes. While this is a movement class, it is not what most would describe as a workout, so full yoga/exercise attire is not necessary. Wear clothing that will allow you to sit on the floor and move around easily (jeans are typically not ideal).
  • tot yoga playing with parachuteParents/caregivers fully participate so should wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to move. The more yoga you do, the more your child will do (even if not until you get home).
  • No yoga experience required for either parent or child.
  • Yoga mats are not used in this class except during the last few minutes for relaxation. Feel free to bring your own or borrow one of ours.
  • Let go of expectations: We don’t expect full participation by children, and sometimes hardly any on the first day. Some children will be most comfortable observing and some might even wander the room and appear not to be participating. This is all developmentally appropriate and totally fine. Yes, try to engage your child in class, but feel free to simply relax and enjoy your child however they choose to participate.
  • No food in the studio. Please bring only water or milk/formula in closed top containers into the yoga classroom, but consider leaving them tucked away in your bag. Interest in water bottles is contagious and few children truly need a water break during a 45 min class. Breastfeeding is always welcome.
  • Please no photos during class. Not all parents are equally comfortable with having their children photographed and phones are potentially distracting to toddlers who are pretty savvy about what they do. If you would like photos of your little one doing yoga, please take them before or after class or during the last two weeks of the class when the instructor suggests group photos. If one of our instructors takes photos at any time, feel free to request a copy of your child or watch for logo-ed version to turn up on our social media sites so you can re-share.
  • Things to leave at home: Toys, stuffed friends, and even lovies (if at all possible). Very special friends can watch class from the the shelves if necessary, but toys of any kind just cause conflict in class.

Learn more about Early Childhood Yoga

Tips for In Person Classes

  • Infant Massage classes involve a full-body massage with oil for baby. We provide sunflower or safflower oil and a bottle for you to use at home. Please contact us if you have allergy concerns and need an alternative oil.
  • Please bring a baby blanket or towel to cover our mats/blankets and a small toy to use during class.
  • Expect your baby to be a baby and know that their voice is welcome. Crying, eating, diaper changes, and sleeping is all perfectly fine during class.
  • Please bring only water or milk/formula in closed top containers into the yoga classroom. Feeding your baby – breast or bottle – is always welcome.
  • Please wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to sit on the floor and move around easily (jeans are typically not ideal).

Taking this Class as a Self-Paced Course or Live Zoom Class

  • You will need oil. We recommend cold pressed, organic safflower or sunflower oil, but many families prefer others. Choose a high-quality food-grade oil so you do not need to worry if baby mouths a recently massaged body part. Some families like coconut oil for topical application. Olive oil can be a bit more irritating over time than some other options, but is still a good choice if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Please bring a baby blanket or towel to cover our mats/blankets and a small toy to use during class.
  • Expect your baby to be a baby. Crying, eating, diaper changes, and sleeping is all perfectly fine during a live class. If you are using our self-paced modules, feel free to take breaks as needed or do just part of the routine.
  • The first three videos on our Setup for Baby Yoga & Play page apply to infant massage as well.

 

 

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