infant massage is touch communication…
In the “fourth trimester,” the period immediately following the birth of your baby, an extraordinary learning and bonding time begins. As a parent, you must suddenly navigate a dramatically changed world and you quickly begin to appreciate the richness and complexity of life with your new baby. Through individual or small group instruction in infant massage, I offer a way to build soothing skills and deepen your attunement with your baby. Massaging your baby supports bonding, nurtures still-maturing physiological processes, and begins a foundation for open communication and respectful relationship, delivering lifelong, far-reaching benefits. Sharing massage with your baby actually improves the well-being of the entire family; it’s a gift for the giver as much as the receiver!
Professional care providers have a very special opportunity to learn this attunement practice as well! See below.
I provide 1:1 or group instruction, both private and public;
for families as well as for professional caregivers…
“In the beginning hands are everything for an infant. The hands are the person, the world.”
Dr. Emmi Pikler
for expectant and newborn families
Individual & Group Classes
Experience hands-on practice with your baby while I demonstrate on a doll (dolls are provided for prenatal participants and as needed in postpartum). Plus you will receive a handbook and supporting materials based upon your particular interests/concerns/goals.
Registration includes up to 2 parents/primary caregivers. This class can be taken prenatally, in postpartum and beyond. *For crawling babies and older, please inquire about important accommodations we will make for bodies that need to move.
Classes for individual families are $99 for a single introductory class, or $350 ($300 for birth clients) for a complete 4-class series to learn everything “from toes to nose.” An introductory class can be taken first and rolled towards a series, if desired. Receive a significant discount with a group of 3 or more families.
Let’s connect about setting up a private 1:1 or group class / series in your own home or in my classroom in Novato!
Or, see my class calendar for upcoming public group series in my Novato classroom.
“My baby loves the massage. She smiles brightly when she sees me prepare. It’s also given me another way to communicate with her that will deepen with time.”
~B.G., newborn parent
Listen to learn more about the far-reaching benefits of infant massage in this conversation with my dear colleague Mary Goyer of Conscious Communication:
for caregiving professionals
Infant Massage Basics 1-day Workshop
Are you a professional nanny or postpartum doula, or do you work with families and provide direct care to their infants? This workshop is designed for you!
The relationship-based approach provided in this class will include one-on-one instruction for offering massage to babies in your care (plus special techniques for relieving gas, colic and constipation), support for interpreting a baby’s own set of communication cues, practical ideas for weaving massage into the daily family routine and examples for adjusting massage throughout life, as children grow and preferences change.
Professional caregivers are in a unique relationship with babies and their families. Participants in this workshop will receive practical guidance on respectfully incorporating massage into your care with parents’ consent.
5.5-hour workshop plus 1-hour lunch break: $190 per adult. Please bring an infant-sized doll to class for practice. This day-long experience is for adult professional caregivers only (it is not suitable for babies to attend).
This workshop provides 5 DONA International Contact Hours.
See my class calendar for upcoming public group series in my Novato classroom. You can also go to “Events” on my Facebook page for full details on available classes. Let’s connect if you’d like to bring a private class to your home or workplace!
*PLEASE NOTE*
This class does not provide certification to professionally teach infant massage to others. The tools provided in this class are intended to enhance your personal caregiving toolkit and to support authentic relationship with the infants and families in your care. If parents are interested in learning infant massage, they should seek a class taught by a certified instructor such as myself, where they will receive valuable information tailored specifically to the parenting journey. Certification to teach infant massage is a 30+ hour training plus a formal practicum & mentor review, and resources for pursuing this will be shared in class. This class, however, is a great way to learn whether pursuing certification to teach might be a good option for you!
“Jennifer really takes the time to make you feel confident adding such a valuable skill to your toolbox as a caregiving professional. Being able to connect with infants through massage has really strengthened the bond I have with each little one I’ve worked with. I highly recommend taking Jennifer’s infant massage for caregiving professionals course.”
~P.M., professional nanny