Mum of 2 Alexia has been offering baby massage classes in Crawley since 2013, and has now created an online video course to allow even more parents to use massage to connect with their babies from the comfort of their own home. Crawley Mumbler guest blogger, Ruth, recently tried out the new course and tells us what she thought.
Baby massage is one of those unexpected things about living with a new little ‘un. The idea of acting as personal masseur to a newborn had honestly never crossed my mind until I had one to look after, and then suddenly the idea seemed to be everywhere.
There are good reasons why it’s popular. When you’re sleep deprived and largely housebound it’s one of the earliest activities that you can do both with your baby and with other people. A whole NCT group often books on to a baby massage course together. It’s an opportunity to learn something new, and to spend time with other people who are also adjusting to life with a newborn.
On top of that, baby massage is well thought of by health visitors and doctors. Sure Start centres run courses. That’s because, of course, there are benefits for the baby. A gentle massage routine helps parents and babies bond. You’re giving your squiggler focused attention, with eye contact and conversation. You’re helping them connect with their body, and by naming different body parts you’re laying the foundation for their own understanding of the fantastic possibilities of the human form.
I’m a fan, I have to admit. I find baby massage a lot less boring than peek-a-boo. It has structure, and there’s something for mummy to think about too.
The trouble starts, of course, when you get beyond baby number one. My precious firstborn Giles – like many first babies, must have been trotted out to every class or session that was going. When his little brother Amos turned up I found out that if you’ve got a toddler as well as a baby, that’s just not an option.
Enter Roots & Wings – a website featuring a collection of short videos that introduce and demonstrate basic baby massage techniques. There’s a general introduction, and then a separate video for various parts of the body – arms, legs, face, tummy – plus downloadable leaflets with more information and tips on colic.
In other words, Roots & Wings provides all of the information that gets drip-fed to parents over several weeks on an in-person baby massage course.
That in itself would be an interesting proposition, but founder Alexia has added another dimension by developing rhymes for parents to sing during each massage. Alexia writes:
“I wanted to create something that brought together baby massage and baby rhyming songs on a complimentary and mutually beneficial way.”
The songs are all set to well known tunes, and are designed to help parents engage directly with their babies while massaging.
To find out more, read the rest of Ruth’s review on the Crawley Mumbler Blog.
