Infant Massage Courses
GET SUPPORT
Thank you so much for visiting our website.
Our current groups are now full and we're taking a short summer break while we upgrade our digital systems.
We'll be opening for new referrals again from 1 September.
If you're an existing client or a professional wishing to discuss a case, please email us at referrals@dorpip.org.uk
Our lovely IAIM trained facilitators will guide you through the magical process of infant massage. The course leads up to a whole body massage which you can incorporate into your baby’s bath and bedtime routine.
In this calm, nurturing space, infant massage can help you to:
Feel closer to your baby, enhancing bonding
Gain a deeper understanding of your baby's communication cues
Encourage calm, relaxation and deeper sleep
Relieve your baby's discomfort from colic, wind, constipation and reflux
Stimulate and strengthen your baby's body systems
Promote your baby's brain development, language and learning
Gain a greater sense of confidence in your ability to care for and nurture your child
Our classes are completely baby led showing you the value of asking permission, as well as the need to understand your baby’s unique cues and behavioural states - basically when your baby is ‘in the mood’.
You are gentle encouraged to observe and listen to your baby’s verbal and non-verbal communication so that you can respond effectively and respectively.
Parent’s initially often feel that learning the massage strokes is the most important and rewarding part of the course. However, they soon realise the important benefits of taking part in our groups - including feelings of social connection and belonging, which in turn creates happiness.
DorPIP Infant Massage Courses encourage communication through positive nurturing touch.
“I believe that babies are human beings who deserve respect, tenderness and warmth, and above all a listening heart. When we listen to our infants with our hearts, we discover whatever it is that we want to know”. - Vimala McClure IAIM Founder.
The IAIM (International Association of Infant Massage) is a world-class standard for the training and teaching of baby massage.
"This group was fantastic, I learnt a lot about calming my baby boy through massage. Also, how to support his indigestion by using different massage techniques. It allowed me to bond with my baby in a very special way, and he now loves a massage after his bath, before bed, when we are at home.
The class instructor was amazing. She put all the mums, and babies, at ease. She was kind and caring and very supportive throughout the sessions. She shared some useful information and guidance in relation to massaging our babies "
- Previous Infant Massage Parent
“I felt very welcomed and cared for throughout all my sessions. From the very first session Lesley made it clear if we needed to stop for feeds, or grumbly bubs we could and this really made me feel at ease and relaxed. Lesley was so kind and always provided spare towels or oil if needed. She was also very clear in demonstrating the techniques in a way you could easily understand. My baby loved the massages and I enjoyed learning and giving my baby the massage. Every session he ended up asleep! Would 100% recommend, I have been sharing my experience with other mums too. I am so happy I attended the course, it has also made me personally be more social and outgoing and I have even made a few friends. Thank you so so much.
Sometimes bonding needs more than a group setting. If things feel difficult or overwhelming, our specialist therapists offer one-to-one support to help you and your baby find your way back to each other.
If you need a bit more support
Infant Massage FAQs
-
Our classes are usually six weekly sessions that last 1.5 hours each. You can find the dates of our next course running on our social media pages and you’ll be given the dates when it comes to booking you on the course.
-
If you meet our criteria, we are able to offer you funding to attend the sessions for free. To see if we can do this, you’ll be asked to complete a Request for DorPIP services form which will assess if you can access our other services for free as well.
You may not find all the questions are relevant to the service you’ve requested, however this will give us a good overview of what is currently going on for you and your family.
As we receive money to run these classes, we are unable to charge you to attend the sessions. If you do not meet our requirements for funding then unfortunately you won’t be able to attend. Please look on the IAIM website to see what other classes are running in your area.
-
We have reoccurring six weekly infant massage courses running at these locations:
Boscombe Family Hub: 22 Ashley Close, Bournemouth BH1 4PE -Parking is on the streets nearby.
Kinson & West Howe Family Hub: Moore Avenue, Bournemouth BH11 8AU - There is parking available at the hub through the blue gate, however there is also parking available in the roads outside
Old Town Family Hub: Green Road, Poole, BH15 1QB - Limited on street parking. Parking available at Sainsburys and then a 5 minute walk to Hub.
Info for Old Town: Due to the Children's Centre's Fire Policy, baby's prams must be stored in the pram shed outside of the children's centre. Babies sleeping in a pram can be accommodated but not the empty prams.
Christchurch Family Hub: Draper Road, Christchurch BH23 3AS - There is parking available at the Hub on the Somerford Infant School site and also on the roads nearby.
Turlin Moor Family Hub: Turlin Road, Poole, BH16 5AH - There is parking onsite at the Hub through the green gates.
Queens Park Childrens Centre: East Way, Bournemouth BH8 9PU There is parking available off street down roads near the Children centre, or further down the hill on Eastway. Please be aware there are parking restrictions directly outside the hub.
-
Lesley O'Brien runs classes in Boscombe and Christchurch
Summer Cook runs classes in Kinson.
You can learn more about our certified instructors on our Clinical Team page.
-
We ask that you bring:
2x small towels, 1 fleecy blanket, a bottle of water for you and anything else you feel your baby may need
The massage takes place on the floor, and we provide mats and pillows to support you and your baby. However, please feel free to bring along anything else that helps you feel more comfortable — a cushion, blanket, or something to sit on is always welcome!
What is provided:
A 50ml bottle of Organic Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil, which is yours to keep so you can continue to practice at home. Please note, the bottles can sometimes get a bit slippery or leak so if you could bring a spare bag to pop the oil in it will stop any unwanted spillages in your bag.
A Parent Handbook detailing all strokes and discussion topics covered, plus any relevant articles.
Cold refreshments
-
You know your baby better than anyone else, so if you feel like they would be comfortable attending a class afterwards, then of course please come along. However, if you would rather skip the session that is completely fine as well. Your instructor can refresh you on the strokes you missed, as well as being able to see it in your IAIM parent handbook.
-
IAIM classes normally run for 6 weeks for 1.5 hour sessions, If you miss a class your instructor can catch you up on anything you’ve missed, and you can also refer back to your IAIM parent handbook to have a look at the strokes.
We ask that you give us as much notice as possible, either by texting or phoning us on 07393 524874, emailing your instructor directly or emailing referrals@dorpip.org.uk
If you decide the class isn’t for you, please let us know as our spaces are limited and we could offer it to someone else.
-
Our classes are completely baby led so it is completely fine, so don’t worry if any of the above happens. There are comfortable spaces available to feed, change and comfort your baby. If baby is sleeping, you’ll usually still get an opportunity to massage your baby as the classes go on for 90-minutes and/or observe the routines for you to then practice at home.
-
If there is space available, partners are more than welcome to come along but we do ask that they complete their own form to register with our service.
After benefiting from our services families often feel like they want to give back. If this is you, thank you, we appreciate your support.
Make a Donation
If you're able, consider making a donation to our Local Giving Page. Donations help us run our services.
Write a Google Review: Your review of your experience with DorPIP could encourage others to reach out for support, and benefit from our services as well.
Volunteering: Volunteer a little of your time to help with small tasks or projects. For instance, you could help spread the word about the DorPIP’s services on social media.
Spread the Word: Simply telling your friends, family, and colleagues about DorPIP the organization and the positive impact it has had on your life can go a long way.