Mandy Bishop, RMT has completed certification in Infant Massage Instruction with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) in 2022.
Mandy looks forward to working with families and their children as an Infant Massage Instructor in addition to the Pregnancy and Postnatal Massage Therapy she offers at Mandala Massage.
Infant massage classes are offered once a week for five weeks, to help support families to bond with their babies through massage and nurturing touch. Classes will allow parents to learn about their baby's five behavioural states, non-verbal cues, reflexes as well as the value of infant massage to promote secure attachment, relieve colic, gas, and constipation, as well as support their infant's growth and development in the myriad ways listed below. Attendance on each day is preferred, and infants should be 12 months of age or less.
Infant Massage Instruction Course Dates
To be Announced
During the classes, the parent(s) or primary caregiver(s) will learn to massage their child to promote parent-child bonding, stimulation of baby's body systems and neural development, induce relaxation and support healthy sleep and digestion for the baby while the instructor demonstrates on a doll. For more information on the benefits of Infant Massage, please feel free to reference the International Association of Infant Massage website here.
Benefits of Infant Massage
Interaction
Regular massage promotes quality time with both parents:
For bonding and secure attachment
Feeling loved, valued and respected
Early contact with both parents, developing empathy
Verbal and non-verbal communication, using all senses
Developing trust and confidence
Stimulation
Regular massage supports infant development by:
Stimulation of all body systems including the digestive, hormonal, immune and circulatory systems, as well as promotes elimination, muscle tone, and joint mobility
Improving emotional self-regulation
Experiencing body's sensing, coordination and balance to increase body awareness
Encouraging language development with vocalizations and communication
Releasing neuro-mediators involved in brain development
Improving sleep quality
Encouraging parent-directed learning and concentration
Relief
Parents describe that massage helps relieve:
Gastrointestinal issues: colic, constipation and gas
Teething discomfort, excess mucus
Growing pains and muscle cramps
Relaxation
Massage engages the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation, indicated by:
Deeper sleep
Improved sleep patterns
More flexibility and relaxed muscle tone
Regulation of behavioural states
Being calm and being able to calm themselves (self-soothing)
Reduction in stress hormones
Increase in "feel good" hormones (Oxytocin)
Benefits to Society
IAIM Program: Promoting Social Engagement & Solidarity
The Infant Massage courses are designed to support parents or primary caregivers by providing opportunities to enhance sensitive parenting skills development and to promote child development education, acting against violence and child maltreatment.
Infant Massage Courses:
Reduce parental loneliness by providing a opportunity to discuss parenting with others
Provide support to parents from others in the group as well as the instructor
Helps the couple to adjust after birth
Can help to reduce the incidence of postpartum depression
Infant Massage courses offered by certified educators promote positive touch, which nurtures both babies and parents. In doing so, it promotes nervous system regulation and healthy bonding for both the parent and the child.
If you would like to learn infant massage techniques for your child, please contact reception@mandalamassageregina.com or call the clinic at 306-559-7770 and we would be happy to provide more information and register your family for the next available group course.
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