Infant Massage
Massage Type Offered - Infant
Goto our Therapists page and look for this icon associated with each Therapist.
Infant Massage in Fort McMurray
Infant massage at Higher Health is for babies from newborn to 24 months, always with the parent in the room. As much as treating your baby, the session teaches you the techniques so you can provide nurturing touch at home between appointments. Higher Health Acupuncture & Massage Therapy Clinic offers infant massage in Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Age range - Newborn to 24 months
Supervision - The parent is always in the room
Session length - 30 Minutes
Includes - Time for feeding and changing within the appointment
Techniques - Massage, Reiki and craniosacral, depending on need
Insurance - Registered therapist receipt provided for direct billing
What is infant massage?
The treatment always takes place with the parent in the room.
Your therapist and you will discuss any ailments such as teething, gas, colic, constipation, or a recent illness leading to sinus or chest congestion. All of these can be addressed with massage, Reiki or craniosacral techniques.
Your therapist may perform some of the massage sequences on your baby or toddler, but more importantly they will teach you how to do the same techniques yourself, so you can provide nurturing touch at home between sessions. Most babies can receive massage, even where there are some health concerns.
Treatment time includes any care needed on your part, such as feeding and changing. It is never expected that a young child will sit still for a full treatment, so multiple positions for different sequences can be explored to make sure your baby enjoys all the benefits of the appointment.
This time is also valuable for the person giving the massage. It is a unique opportunity for bonding, a quiet window to learn your baby's cues for communicating needs, and a deeper sense of confidence from having tools to respond to your baby's needs through nurturing touch.
What does infant massage help with?
- Promotes sleep
- Improves your baby's ability to pass gas, and helps with bowel movements in cases of constipation
- Decreases chest or sinus congestion
- Decreases pain associated with teething
- Decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which supports immune function
- Improves the pain associated with growing pains
- Enhances neurological development and body awareness
- Stimulates cognitive and motor development
What to expect in your session
- You and the therapist discuss what has been going on: sleep, feeding, gas, teething, congestion.
- The therapist demonstrates sequences on your baby.
- You practise the same techniques with coaching.
- Feeding and changing happen within the appointment as needed. This is expected, not an interruption.
- You leave able to repeat the sequences at home.
Bring whatever you would normally bring for an outing: diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, a feed.
Who should not book infant massage
Do not book if your baby has a fever, an acute infection, or a contagious illness. Speak to your pediatrician or physician first if your baby was premature, has a heart condition, has a diagnosed medical condition, has had recent surgery or immunizations within 48 hours, or has unexplained bruising or skin changes. Never massage over an area that appears painful, inflamed or injured. Any new symptom in an infant needs medical assessment, not a massage appointment.
Frequently asked questions
From newborn through to 24 months. After 24 months, book Child Massage.
Yes. The treatment always takes place with the parent in the room.
Colic, gas and constipation are among the most common reasons parents book. The session addresses them and teaches you the sequences to repeat at home.
That is normal and expected. It is never assumed that a young child will stay still for a full treatment. Your therapist will work in different positions, around feeding and changing, and at your baby's pace.
Decreasing the pain associated with teething is one of the specific listed benefits.
Both. Your therapist treats your baby and teaches you the techniques, which is the part that carries the benefit through the weeks between appointments.
Promoting sleep is among the specific benefits of infant massage, along with lowering cortisol.
Related treatments
- Child Massage - for children over 24 months
- Craniosacral Therapy - used within infant sessions
- Pregnancy Massage - for before baby arrives, and postnatal recovery
Book online or call 780-743-0566.
Ready to Book a Massage? Book Now!
Never received a Massage before? Check out our "New To Massage" page, to get the most out of your Massage
