Chances are you’ve enjoyed the benefits of therapeutic massage. The soothing strokes ease your tensions and promote a sense of inner calm. Now, through classes offered by Newborn Connections at California Pacific Medical Center, you can learn how to give your baby that same blissful experience.

"Massage allows parents and their babies to slow down, relax and enjoy the bonding experience," says Cherry Jones, a marriage and family therapist who also is certified in infant massage. "Research on infant massage indicates it lowers the baby’s level of the stress hormone cortisol and enhances the level of the calming hormone oxytocin. Massage also has physical benefits for babies—muscle stimulation and development of both soft tissues and the brain. In addition, massage helps babies with digestive problems such as gas or colic and may bolster the immune system."

Newborn Connections’ classes provide hands-on instruction in proper techniques for newborn and infant massage. "Parents learn how to understand their babies’ tolerance for varying levels of simulation," Jones explains. "It also helps relieve new parents’ anxieties and relaxes them, as well!"

Massage Classes

Newborn Massage (up to six weeks old)
One-time class session held first Monday of every month, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Infant Massage (six weeks to 10 months)
One-time class session held second Sunday of every month, 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

All classes are at the California Campus of California Pacific Medical Center. Classes are open to mothers, fathers and other family members, as well as expectant women and their partners. The $50 class fee covers the entire family. Pre-registration is required. For more information or a class schedule and registration form, call Newborn Connections at (415) 600-2229