Infant Massage

“Infants who received massage therapy compared to those who were rocked experienced greater daily weight gain; more organized sleep/wake behaviors; less fussiness; improved sociability and soothability; improved interaction behaviors; and lower cortisol and norepinephrine and increased serotonin levels.”  This is according to a study led by Tiffany Field of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami.

Our school has long supported infant massage and it’s with great pride that we’ve watched one of our own become a leading expert in this field.  Since graduating from Touch Therapy Institute (before it became National Holistic Institute), Suzanne P. Reese has traveled the world first learning about infant massage and then becoming one of it’s most esteemed champions.  She has published both a book (Baby Massage) and a CD (Talk to Me), created a series of videos for NewBaby.com, and was featured in People magazine for her work with the orphans of Chernobyl.  Just this week, Suzanne wrote an article for Massage Magazine online about the benefits of infant massage for infants, families, and society.

Suzanne will be at our Encino campus this Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (September 18-21) teaching the Infant Massage Educator Certification course.  Students are trained to teach parents and caregivers how to massage their own infants.  For many hands-on practitioners, this offers a non-hands-on opportunity to expand their practice and possibly compliment their existing pre- and peri-natal care.  It is an ideal way to follow through with parents and caregivers who have sought out massage services for themselves.  The class is open to everyone and, as of this writing, there are only 4 spaces left.  Email Denise at boyled@nhi.edu to register.

For more information on Suzanne P. Reese, check out http://www.compassionatechild.com/.