When our two daughters were babies there weren't any massage classes available, but I'd read about the benefits of infant massage.  So without any formal instruction I intuitively massaged both babies and we experienced the many benefits I'd read about.  I then went on to do a reflexology course at a local TAFE college and incorporated those strokes into my massage.

One memory I have was when our youngest daughter was about 2-1/2 years old, she had one of the childhood infections, it was either mumps or measles, and she had a raging fever.  She awoke during the night and said, "do my feet mummy, do my feet mummy".  As young as she was she knew that she would benefit from a foot massage.

I continued to use reflexology for years on family and friends.

When I knew I was about to become a grandmother for the first time I decided to do formal training in infant massage so that I could use it on our grandson.  Once I had the qualification, and knowing the wonderful benefits of massage, I realised that I wanted to share my knowledge and expertise with other mums and dads.

Infant massage works -  it softens many of the "bumps in the road" for a new baby and the family.

Infant massage can have many benefits:

• Relaxes baby
• Relieves discomfort from constipation, gas, and colic
• Normalizes muscle tone and improves blood circulation
• Helps baby sleep better
• Stimulates brain development and improves sensory awareness

Parents can also enjoy many benefits from massaging their babies. As you massage your baby, the physical skin-to-skin contact helps to release hormones that promote relaxation. A more relaxed parent and a more relaxed baby leads to a closer bond and more positive attitude about your role as a parent. And this close contact helps you learn to read your baby's cues and respond more effectively to her needs, resulting in a happier baby and a more confident parent.

Strokes and techniques include Indian massage, Swedish massage, Reflexology and touch relaxation.

It's easy to learn and requires no special tools. Anyone can learn infant massage. Research has shown that massaging your child through tender, nurturing, positive touch is CRUCIAL for your child's psychological and physiological development.