Both practices support bonding, relaxation, and increased parental confidence (further information on my 'About' page); in both, children are massaged by the adult they bring with them, and there's lots of singing. Baby Massage is suitable up until a baby is too mobile to stay happily on the matt with their adult for most of the session; Story Massage is appropriate for any age of child, but the sessions currently running are aimed at preschool children and their carers. Baby Massage is skin-to-skin, removing a baby's clothes, but for Story Massage no clothes are removed and no oil/cream is used. Story Massage is based on 10 strokes that combine story, song, rhyme and massage, with almost endless capacity for expansion and adaptation; Baby Massage uses many more different strokes, but is more physiologically-based (eg strokes to help digestion, improve circulation, encourage babies to use their joints fully). Baby Massage sessions last 75-minutes and run as 5-session courses; Story Massage sessions last 45 minutes and can be booked singly or as a block.

Newborns need to have had their 6/8 week GP check before the first session; older babies outgrow the sessions when they are mobile enough that they can no longer happily stay mostly within the confines of their mat. Mothers, fathers, grandparents or any other carer is welcome, but we can only accommodate one adult per baby, and ideally the same adult would attend all the sessions.

Each session includes time to settle in, 40-50 minutes of massage, and 15 minutes for discussion. We'll use a set sequence of massage strokes, learning about half in week one and building up in the following weeks. The course also provides a supportive environment in which carers can explore their relationship with their baby and increase confidence in responding to their baby's needs. Discussion time lets the group share experiences, knowledge, and get to know each other better.

A Baby Massage course consists of 5, weekly sessions, each lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes. Before you book, please ensure you understand how everything will work, and that you’re able to attend all 5 sessions, as no refunds can be given. We'll try to help if you are absent due to illness, but we are seldom able to offer attendance at an alternative session to make up for the missed one, as most of our courses are fully-booked.

Babies almost always need to feed, have their nappy changed, pause for a cuddle, sleep, or just cry for a bit at some point during every session; I encourage carers to tend to their baby’s needs without having to leave the room.

You’ll be sitting on the floor and moving around your baby, as well as doing some gentle stretching, so it’s advisable to wear loose, comfortable clothing, with layers to remove if you get too hot, and to choose something that can cope with the (unavoidable) risk of baby wee/poo accidents. You may want to dress your baby in a vest as their base layer, so that you can massage their legs but leave their tummy covered at the start of the massage.

At every session you’ll need a device on which to view our song booklet, a towel, your usual nappy change and feeding kit plus a spare muslin or towel in case of accidents, and a toy/comforter. At some venues you’ll also need to bring a yoga mat, and you might want a cushion, stool or block. You don’t have to use cream or oil, but if you would like to, you’ll need to supply this, and you can read about your options here.

Story Massage doesn't require you to bring anything except the kit you always take when you go out with your child. Please wear comfortable clothes for sitting on the floor.

Our sessions are designed to nourish and support first and foremost, as when a carer is thriving, their baby can too. If you or your baby are struggling on the day, please feel free to skip the session, but also remember that it's fine to come, even with an unsettled baby, and simply enjoy the company of the other participants and spend time in a non-judgmental, safe space; crying, laughing, expressing exasperation, delight and exhaustion, and eating snacks, and are all totally acceptable!