TOUCH
CONNECT
NURTURE
Welcome to Harmony Child
My name is Avis-Joy and my goal is to empower you as an expectant parent, parent, grandparent or caregiver by teaching you safe and effective massage techniques for your child.
With massage you can deepen your connection with your child, benefit your baby’s development, enhance your own well-being or support your child in a medical or physiological condition they may face. As a qualified Infant Massage Instructor and a mother of two, I want to equip you to cherish the journey of parenthood and to nurture your bond with your child through experiencing the power of touch, just as I have with my own children.
Infant massage uses gentle techniques that can be performed on newborns all the way through to teenagers, giving parents and caregivers confidence and peace of mind that they themselves can do something that is of great benefit for their child.
The Benefits of Infant and Child Massage
The evidence based benefits of infant massage are vast, positively effecting your child on a physical, social, emotional and cognitive level.
- Help regulate sleep patterns by increasing seratonin
levels and regulating melatonin secretion rhythms - Reduce crying
- Reduce stress hormone levels in children
and their parents/caregiver performing the massage - Assist in the treatment of reflux and colic
- Strengthen the immune system
- Increase weight gain in low birth-weight infants
- Enhance cognitive and motor development
- Enhance attachment and bonding
- Assist in pain relief and discomfort such as
wind, constipation, sinus and chest congestion - Benefit infants with special needs including but
not limited to dermatitis, HIV and drug exposed infants,
down syndrome and cerebral palsy
For older children, massage can:
- Help regulate sleep patterns by increasing seratonin
levels and regulating melatonin secretion rhythms - Enhance emotions and improve mood by increasing
dopamine levels thus assisting with depression, anxiety
and stress disorders - Enhance emotional connection between parent and child
- Benefit children with special needs including but
not limited to asthma, dermatitis, autism, diabetes, PTSD,
cancer, down syndrome and cerebral palsy
Classes and Sessions
Based on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, my preference is to run undistracted and relaxed sessions of Infant Massage Instruction one on one with you and your child in the comfort of your own home.
Some important things to know:
- The safest place for us to learn massage is on the floor so all you will need is a towel or change mat for your child to lay on and a cushion for yourself to sit or lean on.
- I will always be showing you the techniques on my demonstration doll and you will be learning them with your child, I will not be massaging your child.
- Spouses and grandparents are welcome to join you for our session together. If you would like to enjoy the experience with your mothers group or close friends I am happy to accommodate up to 4 infants per session.
- I will always have an additional demonstration doll with me for you to learn with if our booked session time does not work with baby’s schedule that day OR if you are an expectant parent wanting to learn massage before baby arrives OR if you have an older child session booked and would prefer to learn massage without your child present.
Take a look at my class options below to find the best fit for you:
Infant Massage Intro
Infant Massage Intro
This is a fantastic option to learn the basics of massage with your little one or before they arrive!
We will spend one session together in your home which will be 1 hour long.
What will you learn?
- Basic Massage Techniques
- Recognising baby’s signals for massage
- Contraindications
- Appropriate oils for infant and child massage
The cost is $130 per baby.
Infant Massage Plus
Infant Massage Plus
This option is specially designed for those infants struggling with wind, colic or constipation.
We will spend one session together in your home which will be 1 hour long.
What will you learn?
- Basic Massage Techniques
- Colic,Wind & Constipation techniques
- Recognising baby’s signals for massage
- Contraindications
- Appropriate oils for infant and child massage
The cost is $150 per baby.
Infant Massage Intense
Infant Massage Intense
This is a more in depth option to learning massage for every part of the body.
We will spend three 1 hour sessions together in your home over 3 consecutive weeks.
What will you learn?
- Full Body Massage Techniques
- Recognising baby’s signals for massage
- Colic,Wind & Constipation techniques
- Contraindications
- Appropriate oils for infant and child massage
- Lymphatic Exercises
The cost is $360 per baby.
Older Child Massage
Older Child Massage
This class is specifically adapted if you would like to learn massage for your older child.
We will spend 1 session togeher in your home which will be 1.5 hours long.
What will you learn?
- Full Body Massage Techniques
- Contraindications
- Appropriate oils for childhood massage
- Please discuss any special needs for your child with me prior to your session so that I can appropriately adapt the massage techniques for you if needed
The cost is $190 per child.
