Growing Baby Prenatal Classes Toronto

Have you ever massaged a baby before?

Start by massaging your baby!

* A package with community resources and goodies will be included in your baby massage class *

Can't make a scheduled class date?

Belong to a new moms group or centre? Bring a baby massage class to your centre or home! Growing Baby will run an infant massage class for your group or centre. Just let us know what time and where you are and we will be there. A package with community resources, information and goodies are included in your infant massage class. Please call to book a time and date.

* Growing Baby can also come to a baby shower. An original and unique gift for the mom to be! *

In our infant massage class you will...

• Learn massage strokes for babies
• Learn about the benefits
• Learn about colic and gas relief
• Learn about soothing techniques
• Learn about babies time out cues
• Learn about contraindications
• Watch an infant massage video
• Meet other new moms and babies
• Practice the massage strokes on your baby

Date/Price/Location 

Date: Thursday, July 23rd / 2009

Location: The Russell Hill Chiropractic Clinic

Benefits of massage for the baby

Brain Development
Research shows there is enhanced neurological development and all of the physiological systems are stimulated.

Improved Digestion
There is an enhanced secretion of digestive hormones and massage makes the digestive system more efficient. Massaging your baby also helps to improve functioning of their gastrointestinal tract and it relieves discomfort from constipation and gas.

Improves behaviour
Babies who are massaged are better organized and they sleep better at night because touch is very settling. They also relate better to parent and caregiver interactions.

Promotes self-esteem
Through massage babies learn about their body and learn which parts of their body are most sensitive and which parts of their body need more relaxing.

Improves respiration
Helps increase oxygen and nutrient flow to cells, therefore babies with asthma benefit from massage.

Improves relaxation and decreases stress
Massage reduces the level of cortisol, the stress  hormone, therefore relaxation is increased and stress is decreased.

Other benefits
Enhances the immune system
Improves muscle tone
Increases blood circulation
Assists in the healing process: Healing of the umbilical cord, circumcision, forceps or vacuum delivery.

Benefits of massage for the parents/caregivers

Promotes Communication
Massage provides a special time to communicate with each other and to show love, respect and compassion. Parents also become more aware of and learn to understand and respond to their babies cues.                 

Promotes Bonding and Attachment
Massage provides an opportunity for closeness, play, touch and it conveys nurturing and love. Massage also provides a time for parent and infant to bond through eye contact, touch, voice, smell and movement.          

Promotes Confidence
Parents report feeling more confident in their ability to care for their baby.

Improves Sleep
Massage and touch often helps babies sleep better and more soundly, therefore parents and caregivers may sleep better too.            

Improves relaxation and decreases stress
When the baby is relaxed, parents feel relaxed and they feel less stressed and less anxiety.         

Benefits mom with postpartum depression
Moms with postpartum depression feel more attached to their baby and they feel more confident in their ability to provide for and care for their baby. Research has shown that moms with postpartum depression who touch or massage their babies regularly felt better sooner.