Thinking about baby massage but not quite sure what to expect? You’re not alone, these are the questions I hear most often from parents in Skipton, Hellifield and Sutton-in-Craven, whether they’re booking their first ever class or just curious about what actually goes on in the room. Have a read through our Baby Massage FAQs page, and if there’s something you don’t see answered here, just drop me a message via our contact page.
I’m always happy to talk it through before you book anything… Amanda x
What age can my baby start baby massage?
Our baby massage courses are open to babies from 6 weeks up to 8 months. If your baby arrived early, I go by their corrected age (from their due date) rather than their birth date, so there’s no rush if you’re still finding your feet. Not sure where your little one falls? Just message me and I’ll help you work it out.
What happens at a baby massage class?
At both our Baby Massage & Spa and our Introduction to Baby Massage the sessions starts gently, with a little check in song together. From there we work through the strokes as a group, at whatever pace your baby is happy with, building up gradually over the weeks. Theres no pressure or expectation, your baby is in charge and we watch their cues throughout. After we have practiced that weeks strokes we take time to chill, have a brew and some cake… time to chat and build those friendships and connection. If you are booked on to our 5 week Baby Massage and Spa week, the fish week finishes with a lovely baby spa (more on that below) and interactive story massage… it’s the perfect way to bring the 5 weeks to an end.
Where can I do baby massage in Skipton?
Our Skipton classes run on Fridays at 10am at The Pilates Room, and I teach these sessions myself. It’s a small, relaxed group, so there’s no pressure and no need to worry about crying, feeding or anything else getting in the way… it’s all welcome.
What happens if my baby cries during baby massage?
This comes up a lot, and I get it, it’s one of the biggest worries you will probably have before that first class. Honestly, crying is just part of the room. Babies communicate the only way they know how, and nobody bats an eyelid. If your baby’s unsettled, that’s ok, pick them up, feed them, have a walk about, whatever they need… you won’t be disrupting anything and theres never any need to apologise for a crying baby.
What should I bring to baby massage?
I provide the oil and everything needed while you are with us, so there’s nothing really you need to bring except yourself and your baby. If you are booked on to our Baby Massage and Spa course and your baby has sensitive skin, I ask that you bring the bubble bath you use at home… we do provide bath milk and bubbles but to make sure theres no reaction, home bubble bath is always best. I’ll also need you to complete a quick medical questionnaire before joining us… it’s a condition of my insurance and has to be securely on file before we start.
Can baby massage help with colic or trapped wind?
Lots of the families we teach come along hoping massage will help with a windy or unsettled tummy, and the tummy strokes we cover, including our sun and moon stroke, are designed with digestion in mind. Many parents tell me their baby seems more settled afterwards. There is of course no guarantees but it’s a great addition to have in your parenting toolkit.
If you’re at all worried about your baby’s tummy or feeding, please speak to your health visitor or GP first. Baby Massage is there to sit alongside that support, not instead of it.
Can baby massage help my baby’s sleep?
Sleep is another one of the things parents ask me about, and it’s an area I’ve trained to Level 3 Sleep Consultant Practitioner through The Sleep Consultancy Academy. I don’t offer sleep consultancy as a service. The training is there as additional CPD and also helps to shape how I teach. A calm, connecting massage routine can become a lovely part of a wind down before nap or bedtime. I can’t promise it’ll solve sleep problems though, every baby is different.
If sleep is a real struggle it’s always worth a chat with your health visitor.
What happens at the Tiny Hands Baby Spa?
Baby spa is my possibly my favourite part of the baby massage and spa block, if I’m honest. It happens in the final week of every 5 week baby massage and spa block in Skipton and Hellifield. Baby has a warm bath in a little Shnuggle tub, gets wrapped up in a tiny dressing gown and slippers afterwards, and there’s a lovely gift box for you to take home… because you deserve treating too. You get a glass of non alcoholic fizz, and we do a lovely interactive story massage with baby. It’s a proper celebration of how far you and your baby have come.
I also run standalone Bubbles and Baby Spa family events through the year if you’d like to experience it without doing the full course first, keep an eye on Instagram or my mailing list for dates.
How long is a baby massage course?
The Skipton and Hellifield baby massage and spa course runs over 5 weeks, one session a week, finishing with the spa in week 5. My newer Sutton-in-Craven Introduction to Baby Massage course runs as a 4 week block covering the same core strokes, without the spa week. Little Movers, my baby yoga, song and sensory class, also runs in 4 week blocks.
Can I feed my baby during baby massage?
Absolutely yes, feed whenever your baby needs it, breast or bottle, we welcome all. Nobody in the room will think twice about it.
Is baby massage suitable for newborns?
At Tiny Hands Baby Massage, our courses start from 6 weeks, or your baby’s corrected age if they arrived early, so very young newborns aren’t quite in the class window yet. That’s not because massage isn’t safe or lovely for a newborns, many cultures throughout the world practice it from birth as a practice passed down through generations. Very young babies can get easily over stimulated, it is my experience that group settings, with lots of new noises can be overwhelming for young baby so we prefer to wait until they are a little older. If your baby’s under 6 weeks and you’re keen to get started with some gentle touch though, please do message me and we can talk through your options.
Do I need to know anything about massage before I come?
Not a thing. Every stroke is taught and demonstrated step by step by myself or by Hazel, our other certified baby massage teacher. We are right there to help you if you’re unsure. Some parents come along having never done anything like this before, others have older children they’ve already massaged. It genuinely doesn’t matter from what place you’re starting from.
Can dads, partners or grandparents come some weeks?
Yes, absolutely. All that we ask is that you let us know who will be joining you. We welcome dads, partners and grandparents but as we have breastfeeding parents in group we just like to make sure everyone is comfortable first. We will always try to accommodate by creating private breast feeding areas away from the group if you bring someone along and we want to ensure privacy for others who may be feeding.
Where are Tiny Hands Baby Massage classes held?
Currently we have three locations. Sutton-in-Craven Community Centre on Tuesdays at 9.45am and 11.15am, taught by myself, Hellifield Village Hall on Thursdays at 9.45am, taught by my colleague Hazel. and Skipton on Fridays at 10am, taught by myself again at The Pilates Room. We also can cater for private 1:1 clients in your own home with prior arrangement.
Still got a question that isn’t covered here? I’d always rather you asked than wondered, so drop me a message and I’ll get back to you… Im always happy to chat,
Amanda xx