It is never too late to begin massage…
Nurture Your Bond with the Power of Infant Massage
Whether your child is a newborn or a few years old, infant massage offers both immediate and lasting benefits for their well-being and your connection. Expectant parents who learn these techniques during pregnancy are beautifully prepared to begin this loving, nurturing touch from day one.
Rooted in traditional parenting practices from cultures around the world, infant massage has stood the test of time—and today, it’s backed by modern, evidence-based research. Since gaining popularity in the West in the 1970s, it continues to grow as a trusted, heart-centered way to support your baby’s development and deepen your parent-child bond.
Infant Massage / Baby Massage
Have you ever wondered what infant massage is?
Have you overheard a friend talking about infant massage?
Do you want to teach parents how to massage their children?
What is Infant Massage? The Love Language of Touch
Infant massage is a bonding activity between parents and their children. In simple terms, infant or pediatric massage involves gently stroking an infant’s muscles using a variety of specialized massage techniques. The practice also includes vocalization, eye-to-eye contact, and other forms of positive behavioral reinforcement.age.
The Ancient Art of Infant Massage
The practice of infant massage has been an integral part of caregiving for centuries. This long history underscores a simple truth: infants and children benefit profoundly from being massaged, touched, and lovingly nurtured to support their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Today, infant massage is recognized as an effective early intervention strategy and therapeutic tool. It has become a specialized therapy in the United States and across the world, embraced by a wide range of healthcare professionals. Many practitioners now incorporate infant massage into their work to support families with children who have challenges and special needs, as well as those with healthy, full-term newborns.
The techniques are simple, effective, and typically carried out by parents and primary caregivers who have been trained in the Loving Touch Method® by certified infant massage instructors. This approach empowers caregivers and strengthens the parent–infant attachment process. A growing body of research continues to validate the therapeutic benefits of this time-honored practice.
Infant massage is an essential component of infant care around the globe and provides meaningful benefits for both children and their parents. I teach infant massage—let’s continue sharing this valuable skill with all who care for our youngest learners.
“Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant; food as necessary as minerals, vitamins, and proteins” ~ Frederick Leboyer
Dr. Frederick Leboyer, M.D., was the first physician to challenge Western society’s deeply held beliefs about awareness in the newborn. He was one of the first doctors to record the ancient art of baby massage. His Book Loving Hands: The Traditional Art of Baby Massage was first published in 1976 from his trip to Calcutta and gives us a good example of this ancient parenting tradition. From the creation of his book, infant massage began to spread across the world, becoming more embraced and accepted.
Loving Touch’s Easy-to-Learn Infant Massage Techniques
Developed by ILTF, Baby’s First Touch: Step-by-Step Instructions for Infant Massage provides some of the easiest methods and approaches for learning infant massage. This illustrated guidebook helps you to easily learn infant massage step-by-step. Our Certified Infant Massage Instructors use these materials in their classes when teaching parents infant massage. (Available in English & Spanish)
If you would like to know more about infant massage please check out the following links for more detailed information.
Infant Massage Benefits for Parents
Infant Massage Benefits for Babies
Find A Certified Infant Massage Instructor Near You!
Become a Certified Infant Massage Instructor to Teach Others!