Mothers-to-be use massage to ease the many discomforts of pregnancy and to add to the bonding relationship between mother and child. Our trained therapists can massage mothers safely with no harm to the baby. You can learn more about this technique by visiting www.nurturingthemother.com. Our center provides options for face down with pregnancy cushions or side lying with pillow support. Doula labor support is also available to give parents advocacy, support, and encouragement during the birth of their baby. Please visit www.dona.com to learn more about doula labor support.

Classes:  Hands On Health practitioners teach infant massage classes at Wake Medical Centers of Cary, Raleigh, and North Raleigh. To find out more about these classes and other classes taught at Wake Med, visit www.wakemed.org and link to birth and parent education.

Private Lessons and infant massage treatments: available at our Hands On Health locations.

Why learn infant massage? There are a great many benefits of massage for the newborn or infant and for the parent/family relationship. Massage strokes aid digestion and absorption of nutrients and eases elimination. Infant massage assists with healthy nervous system development, calms baby and parent, and cold-pressed oils applied to the skin provide baby with valuable minerals and vitamins. Light but firm massage strokes are used to aid in the sensory and musculoskeletal development of baby. For more information about this technique go to www.babysfirstmassage.com

A wonderful way to connect with your baby... learn techniques proven to relieve a variety of challenges and ailments common to infants, such as colic, hypersensitivity, congestion and the daily stresses related to growth. This is a special time for you to bond with your baby and enhance your parenting abilities for a lifetime of bonding. If you are expecting or adopting, consider taking these classes once your baby arrives!