Infant massage class just for dads!

Dads: I'm teaching a special edition of Rub-a-Dub infant massage just for you, this Saturday, July 25, 2-3 p.m. You may use your class pass or drop in. (Moms, if you have a pass, you may sign up your partner under your name). Sign up here.

If you're not familiar with infant massage, here's why you should consider signing up:

In one study, fathers who gave their infants daily, 15-minute massages before bedtime were more expressive and showed more enjoyment and warmth with their babies than fathers who did not participate in infant massage. That comes from a 2000 study published in the journal Early Child Development and Care. You can learn more at BabyLovesMassage.com.

More than that though, healthy touch is essential to giving your baby a sense of peace and security in the world and it's fun! Infant massage is great for both babies and dads.

For babies, infant massage can also help:
• relieve baby's gas, constipation, and teething pains
• promote deeper and longer sleep
• enhance neurological development
• boost the immune system
• improve blood circulation
• improve sensory awareness

Benefits for parents include:
• one-on-one quiet time promotes bonding and relaxation with baby
• helps ease stress of working parents who must be separated from their children for extended periods of time
• increases parents’ confidence in their abilities to read baby’s cues
• regular massage helps parents to unwind and relax
• enhances communication and builds respect between parents and baby

Discover a new way to connect with your little one at this upcoming Rub-A-Dub infant massage class geared especially toward dads! All you need to bring is your baby (3 weeks to pre-crawling), a blanket for baby, and a toy or two if baby is old enough to need a bit of extra entertainment.

Tell your other dad friends, too! Hope to see you on Saturday.

- Alisa
(and Sarah & the women of Blooma)