Infant Massage is a tradition within many ancient cultures that has been rediscovered and adapted to the western world. Infant Massage is a great way to bond with your baby and one of the most natural and pleasant methods of providing early nurturing contact as you begin a lifelong relationship. Numerous studies have shown many developmental benefits, for babies and caregivers, of positive contact as part of a baby’s early life.

Each course is taught by a certified infant massage instructor. Instructors are certified through the International Loving Touch^® Foundation. Content on this web page is adapted from materials copyrighted by the International Loving Touch^® Foundation and is used here with permission.

• Provides a special time of communication that fosters love, compassion, and respect
• Improves general well-being HELPS with congestion, gas, and colic
• Improves overall functioning of the gastrointestinal tract
• Helps to normalize muscle tone
• Improves circulation
• Enhances immune system function
• Improves mid-line orientation
• Helps to improve sensory and body awareness
• Enhances neurological development
• Helps baby/child to sleep deeper and more soundly
• Helps to increase oxygen and nutrient flow to cells and improves respiration
• Helps to improve pain management; can relieve discomfort from teething
• Provides an intimate time for children to confide in parents
• Reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone
• Promotes relaxation and helps babies self-regulate, which reduces crying
• Enhances release of hormones in the body; the growth hormone can be stimulated, which helps weight gain
• Stimulates all of the physiological systems; massage sparks the neurons in their brains to grow and branch out to encompass other neurons
• Provides all of the essential indicators of intimate parent-infant bonding and attachment:
  • Eye-to-eye Contact
  • Touch
  • Voice
  • Smell
  • Movement
  • Thermal Regulation

• Provides all of the essential indicators of intimate parent-infant bonding and attachment
  • Eye-to-eye Contact
  • Touch
  • Voice
  • Smell
  • Movement
  • Thermal Regulation
• Encourages pre-verbal communication between caregiver and infant
• Helps parents feel more confident and competent in caring for their infant
• Provides parents with one-on-one quiet time or interactive play with their infant
• Increases caregivers' self-esteem by reinforcing and enhancing their skills as caregivers
• Gives parents the tools for understanding their infant’s unique rhythms and patterns
• Teaches parents how to read their infant’s cues and recognize their states of awareness
• Helps working parents or caregivers who are separated from their infant for long periods of time to bond with their infant
• Gives parents a special way to interact with their children who may be hospitalized; helps parents feel a greater part of the healing process
• Helps parents to unwind and relax
• Provides a positive way for fathers to interact with their infant

Many emotions come with being a new or expecting parent. Anxiety, excitement, nervousness, joy, and fear are all typical of welcoming a new life into the world. Early nurturing contact between you and your infant is one of the earliest stimuli that you can provide.

So, whether you are expecting, have a newborn or even a toddler, massage can bring immediate and lasting results!

Infant massage has also been shown to be beneficial for older children with special needs. Techniques are simple and effective, and you will leave our course with instructional materials, should you need a refresher when you are on your own.

Our infant massage course is open to mothers, fathers, grandparents, childcare providers, and other caregivers. Expectant mothers are also encouraged to take a course prior to their baby’s birth. These mothers are then ready to implement the techniques learned right from the start.

To learn more about the benefits of infant massage, email prevention@heartlandforchildren.org or call our Prevention Specialist, Vereuch Simmons at (863) 519-8900 x 214.

Lakeland

The Nest | 3838 Lakeland Hills Blvd. Lakeland, FL

863-578-8633

Winter Haven

Winter Haven Women’s Hospital | 101 Avenue O SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880

$10

Registration is required.