Video: Infant Massage a Growing Trend

Infant massage is a growing technique used by parents. Jean Stringham, infant massage coordinator at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, lead a class at Norton Public Library Tuesday to teach local mothers the benefits of this technique.

Stringham has a daughter with ADHD, and is confident that had she known about infant massage years ago, it would have helped.

“It wouldn’t have cured her, but I know it would have made it better for her,” Stringham said. “You guys are at the beginning.”

One of the many benefits of infant massage is that it helps relieve gas, constipation and colic, as parent Christina Mello can attest to.

“This definitely helped. He [her son Mason] didn’t poop at all yesterday, and he just did,” she said, as the rest of the class laughed.

Other benefits include promoting relaxation, body awareness, communication, trust, parent confidence and strength of respiratory circulatory system.

Natalie Mandeville, who brought her son Silas, learned a lot from this introductory class.

“It would have been easier with a doll,” she laughed, trying to put Silas’ clothes on as he squirmed. “But there were a lot of takeaways for when he’s a lot calmer.”

Sturdy Memorial will be offering a free infant massage program Saturday, March 26, 10 a.m. to noon in the auditorium at the hospital. Tips on how to soothe and calm a colicky baby will also be provided. Parents are encouraged to bring their infants, ages two weeks to 10 months old. Class size is limited and pre-registration is necessary. For more information, or to register by March 21, call 508-236-7151.