After all the months of waiting and dreaming, it is exciting when your baby is finally born. It takes time and effort for parents to get to know their newborn, and time for the newborn to adjust to the new world. Infant massage is one way to help make this process easier. Parents have always loved touching and stroking their babies, and babies love to be soothed and cuddled. Part of a baby's emotional and neurological development comes from the interactions of touch and feelings of security it offers.
This is a one hour per week, 2 week infant massage course, taught by a certified infant massage trainer for infants one month to one year of age. In this class, you will learn how to massage your infant to assist with bonding, constipation, crying and colic, sleep, teething, and communication.
Beyond bonding, this course can also help with:
- Stress relief (for babies and parents)
- Growth and development
- Gas
- Symptom of colic
- Increasing parents' confidence and sensitivity to baby's signals and cues
- Weight gain and neurological development in premature babies
Classes are offered both in person and virtually via Telehealth.
To register, contact Carilion Direct at 540-266-6000. You will then be connected with Certified Infant Massage Trainer, Lisa Belderes, PT, DPT, CIMT at 540-986-6922 to schedule your sessions.
Your actual appointment time will be selected when you schedule your sessions. Please note this class is for after your infant is born.