Children instinctively like to touch and be touched. They do not hide their need for physical contact either.
In the first three years of a child’s life, close physical contact with the mother is imperative for a child’s growth and development. From day one, infants rely on the safety of their mother. Connecting through touch, cradling, breastfeeding or in some countries carrying the child on their body.
Many cultures throughout the world massage their babies daily and their baby tends to be stronger and more relaxed. They see touch as a fundamental part of the baby’s emotional health and physical development.
Mariska is a certified infant massage instructor and paediatric consultant, and a member of IMIS. As a former maternity nurse she has great affection for infants and loves teaching parents and seeing them grow in confidence.
Benefits baby massage
- A Happy baby as massage releases both oxytocin and endorphins
- Can give relief from colic, abdominal wind, and those nasty cramps and does works wonders on constipated babies.
- Assist in relieving discomfort from teething, chest or sinus congestion
- Enhance sleep through touch and relaxation
- Reduces crying time
- Supports the growth and development of your baby’s and enhances neurological development
- Strengthens the immune system
- Can help with respiratory disorders
- Assists with weight gain, specifically in premature babies
- Increases infant’s body awareness, improves sensory awareness and balance
- Enhances movement and limb coordination
The Touch Research Institute in Miami done lots of studies about the benefits of touch for infants, if you are interested in more facts.
Benefits for Mum and Dad
Infant massage gives you the tools to help you to understand your baby better and help them to feel satisfied and content.
- It enhances the bonding process between you and your bubba enabling a loving relationship for years on end.
- Is a wonderful method to calm, reassure or relax your little one
- The one on one time is a special time between you and your baby
- The techniques you will learn will increase confidence and baby handling
- It encouraging closeness and teaches your baby about loving, nurturing and appropriate touch.
- It teaches conscious relaxation techniques, which your child will have for life.
- It can be a great way to get some toddlers to sleep and touch may offer reassurance far into their teens.
- Massage provides a quality time for Dads to be involved
- Most of all it is fun for you and you baby and give you some precious one on one time
Classes are taught in various ways
Introduction Workshop
1,5 H introduction to baby massage to understand the basics. This can be on location, as a speaker for a group or as a workshop.
1 x 1.5 hour session – 8 parents minimum – $25.00 per person
Group Classes
Join our group classes, meet other parents and get an in-dept understanding in this 4 weeks baby massage course.
4 x 1 hour sessions – 6 parents maximum – $100 total for all 4 lessons
Organize your own group
We’ll come to you mothers- or playgroups or your pregnancy yoga group and teach the course on your location.
4 x 1 hour sessions – 6 parents maximum – $120 total for all 4 lessons (per person)
Private Session in the comfort of your home
One-on-one instruction over two weeks in your home.
This is an alternative for parents with special needs bubba, premature babies coming home or women with postnatal depression
2 x 1,5 hour sessions – $150.00 total
For more detailed information for each class, click the links. You’ll also find the upcoming dates there.
Gift Voucher
Don’t have a wiggly worm of your own? Perhaps your girlfriend, daughter (in law) or colleague is about to have a baby. This is an ideal idea for a baby shower! Purchased as a gift voucher – Order here
More questions?
Wonderful remedial massage . Nice firm pressure on tight muscles with relaxing ambient atmosphere. Therapist has great knowledge of muscle and anatomy . 60 minutes and I felt great. Thank you !
Karen Guy2 years agoAlways a great massage with Mariska. Can highly recommend for relaxation and getting into sore, tight muscles.
Katrina Henry Haskew4 years agoExcellent massage... Very healing !
Abeer Nagi6 years agoMariska is amazing, she totally understands my body and what needs to be done, I look forward to my appointments and highly recommend Mariska whether you have pain or you just want to feel like you're on cloud 9.
Jodie Wootton4 years ago- One of the best massage sessions I had. Mariska is knowledgeable and caring. Highly recommend Mariska for all types of aches and pains.Or just to relax :)Nina Sha1 year ago
I had a great remedial massage for some upper back pain I have been experiencing recently. Mariska was really great about listening to my issues and tailoring the massage specifically to target my problem area. Would highly recommend for anyone... read more
A Google User8 months ago- Mariska is a lovely lady, she is caring and careful, she knows exactly where to press and for how long :)))
Thank you very much for the treatments, also thank you for your tips what I can do at home... read moreNadia Alex1 year ago I was sceptical, hadn’t had massages for a while, but it was brilliant. I felt relaxed, pain free and very calm after my first massage; a nice feeling and I’ll be back regularly. Thankyou Anna, good job 👍
Kathy Hood1 month agoWonderful massage by a skillful and caring therapist. The room in Woy Woy - Wellnest centre is perfect, highly recommend Mariska for any aches or pains.
Nina Shapievsky1 year agoMariska is professional and highly personable! I have a noticeable improvement after visiting her clinic for chronic back pain.
Nicola Riebolge8 months agoMariska is consistently polite, listens to my health concerns and always manages to find my sore spots and sooth my aches away with her calming treatment. My lower back rarely flairs up now thanks to my regular massages with Mariska.... read more
Patricia Pekic2 years agoAnna was absolutely wonderful. I had severe neck and back pain which had no improvement after physio and acupuncture. Anna listened to my concerns and focused on my problem areas, the only thing to actually relieve my acute pain. Wish... read more
Samara Sabur7 months agoAn all round wonderful experience!
Rozanne Collins5 years agoMariska has amazing hands.
I have been a massage therapist for many years and have had a lot of massages over time.
Mariska's treatments are the best I have ever had!!Kim McChlery4 years ago- Mariska is a caring professional who strives to help her clients by treating their particular aches and pains. Always a great outcome. Thank you Mariska.Patricia Pekic10 months ago
Felt very relaxed after my pregnancy massage. I was bit skeptical at the beginning but it was definitely worth it. It was a great experience with Mihyeng. Will definitely visit again!
Deepika Sharma5 months agoI went to see Mariska with a very tensed and sore back, along with shooting pain down my legs. I was very pleased with Mariska’s knowledge about the body and how quickly she diagnosed and started the treatment. I found... read more
Gita Charan1 year agoMariska is a lovely lady, she is caring and careful, she knows exactly where to press and for how long :)))
Thank you very much for the treatments, also thank you for your tips what I can do at home... read moreNadezhda Alex1 year agoI had been meaning to have a proper reflexology treatment for a very long time, and finally had my first ever proper reflexology session earlier this week (the so called reflexology foot massages incorporated in body massage or foot spa... read more
Christine Yee9 months agoI was dealing with some sudden stiffness in my shoulder that prevented me from moving it without pain. I booked an appointment for a remedial massage ASAP with Mariska. She was able to pinpoint my issue and worked out the... read more
V H1 year ago
