Nurture Baby Massage
About the Classes
I run Nurture Baby Massage on Wednesday mornings in Wendover, 12.00-13.00.
The classes are term-time only.
The class is held at Wendover Memorial Hall, Wharf Road, HP22 6HF (with parking).
You can start immediately post-birth, and the class is suitable until baby is mobile (usually 7-10 months).
Many ladies start by attending one or two blocks of Nurture Baby Massage (a beautifully gentle class to nurture baby and mummy in her initial transition into motherhood or motherhood again), directly followed by Yoga for Mum & Baby for multiple blocks to continue supporting mummy emotionally, but also transition to an added focus on mummy's physical recovery and return to fitness.
Are you worried that baby won't settle and will need comforting and feeding during class?
Each class lasts 60 minutes, and it is a safe, judgement-free space. You can feed, change nappies, pace... do anything and everything that suits you and your bundle of joy. I certainly don't expect the babies in class to be still or quiet - babies cry, babies get tired and hungry. We are all mummies (I have 3 children of my own) so please don't worry about anything, and it is fine if they fall asleep for the whole class too. There is no pressure to do anything.
Babies have six different states of consciousness and for baby (and you) to get the most out of baby massage, you want baby to be alert-awake. If you hear people say their baby doesn't like baby massage; if we think about what baby massage is (loving strokes), it is very unlikely a baby wouldn't enjoy the touch and attention, it's more about whether it is the right time to perform the strokes based on baby's other needs. So immediately take the pressure off; you don't have to perform the strokes in class - you just learn them, to practice at home when your baby is alert-awake.
Equally, as baby massage is surprisingly strenuous for baby, even if they are alert-awake at the start of class, 60 minutes of baby massage would be too much for them. So we enjoy learning our strokes, but then crucially make time for mummy-too.
What do we cover in a Nurture Baby Massage course?
Nurture Baby Massage is a six-week block of classes.
It has two main goals: to teach and guide you through a full baby massage course; and to bring the focus back to YOU and YOUR NEEDS.
We work through a complete baby massage course, placing importance on caring for, bonding and communicating with your baby; learning massage techniques to soothe and offer relief.
Benefits of baby massage include:
- smooths transition from womb to the world;
- develops baby’s first language: touch;
- teaches positive loving touch;
- develops a feeling of being loved, respected and secure;
- develops body, mind, awareness and coordination;
- can help to reduce the discomfort of colic, wind and constipation;
- helps to regulate and strengthen baby’s digestive and respiratory systems and stimulates circulatory and nervous systems;
- promotes relaxation;
- can help to reduce fussiness and improve quality of sleep; and improves skin condition.
Benefits for mummy include:
- helps parents to understand baby’s non-verbal communication;
- enhances parent’s confidence and competence in dealing with baby;
- can help with postnatal depression;
- both mummy and baby relax together;
- promotes lactation in breastfeeding mums (through stimulation of hormones);
- promotes nurturing instinct (through stimulation of hormone oxytocin).
So how do we begin to nurture you?
Each week has a theme which leads our postnatal discussions focusing on looking after mummy (mind, body and soul after birth).
We have twelve unique discussion areas so you can complete two blocks without repetition if you so wish.
- We start by going around the room introducing ourselves, offloading the highs and lows of the week (if we want to - there is no pressure to share anything).
- We practice our baby massage strokes for the week; this always take priority in case this is the exclusive reason for signing up to the course.
- We connect through a postnatal poem or relaxation.
- We initiate discussions around our chosen theme: topics include motherhood is meant to change you; how to get on your own side; take the pressure off; perfect doesn't exist; your needs matter; self-care doesn't work; your feelings matter; guilt; boundaries not balance; loneliness and disconnection; fear & anxiety; postpartum ritual.
The classes are made up of different elements, and the time spent on these varies week-to-week depending on how attendees are feeling: how much they want to discuss topics; and how much energy they have to move. Sometimes it needs to be a class focusing on baby and building oxytocin; sometimes more centred on mummy and recuperation after an exhausting night, and building that community or village with other attendees. The classes develop organically based on everyone's needs.
During 2025 our class schedule is:
JANUARY
- Weds 1: No classes
- Weds 8 Nurture: baby massage (back, arms & chest); motherhood is meant to change you discussions; mother in waiting poem
- Weds 15 Nurture: baby massage (back, head & face); how to get on your own side discussions; carrying you poem
- Weds 22 Nurture: baby massage (head & face, legs); take the pressure off discussions; it was you poem
- Weds 29 Nurture: baby massage (legs, colic & teething routines); perfect doesn't exist discussions; baby blues poem
FEBRUARY
- Weds 5 Nurture: baby massage (legs, tummy); your needs matter discussions; all I see is you poem
- Weds 12 Nurture: Valentine's Day class baby massage (tummy; arms & chest); self-care doesn't work discussions; love poem
- Weds 19: No classes
- Weds 26 Nurture: baby massage (back, arms & chest); your feelings matter discussions; dear mama poem
MARCH
- Weds 5 Nurture: baby massage (back, head & face); guilt discussions; change poem
- Weds 12 Nurture: baby massage (head & face, legs); boundaries not balance discussions; my world poem
- Weds 19 Nurture: baby massage (legs, colic & teething routines); loneliness & disconnection discussions; to be poem
- Weds 26 Nurture: Mother's Day class, baby massage (legs, tummy); postpartum ritual & 9-box grid discussions; a mother's value poem
APRIL
- Weds 2: Nurture: baby massage (tummy, arms & chest); fear & anxiety discussions; I would tell you poem
- Weds 9: No classes
- Weds 16: No classes
- Weds 23 Nurture: Easter class, baby massage (back, arms & chest); motherhood is meant to change you discussions; Mama you're beautiful poem
- Weds 30 Nurture: baby massage (back, head & face); how to get on your own side discussions; I was told poem
MAY
- Weds 7 Nurture: baby massage (head & face, legs); take the pressure off discussions; that first smile poem
- Weds 14 Nurture: baby massage (legs, colic & teething routines); perfect doesn't exist discussions; just you wait and see poem
- Weds 21 Nurture: baby massage (legs, tummy); your needs matter discussions; the paradox of motherhood poem
- Weds 28: No classes
JUNE
- Weds 4 Nurture: baby massage (tummy, arms & chest); self care doesn't work discussions; blink and you'll miss it poem
- Weds 11 Nurture: Father's day class, baby massage (back, arms & chest); your feelings matter discussions; dear little one poem
- Weds 18 Nurture: baby massage (back, head & face); guilt discussions; the every mum poem
- Weds 25 Nurture: baby massage (head & face, legs); boundaries not balance discussions; dear friend poem
JULY
- Weds 2 Nurture: baby massage (legs, colic & teething routines); loneliness & disconnection discussions; some things I know poem
- Weds 9 Nurture: baby massage (legs, tummy); fear & anxiety discussions; my favourite poem
- Weds 16 Nurture: baby massage (tummy, arms & chest); postpartum ritual & 9-box grid discussions; summers poem
- Weds 23: No classes
- Weds 30: No classes
AUGUST
No classes
SEPTEMBER
- Weds 3: No classes
- Weds 10 Nurture: baby massage (back, arms & chest); motherhood is meant to change you discussions; you before me poem
- Weds 17 Nurture: baby massage (back, head & face); how to get on your own side discussions; you'll always be my baby poem
- Weds 24 Nurture: baby massage (head & face, legs); take the pressure off discussions; things I would tell myself poem
OCTOBER
- Weds 1 Nurture: baby massage (legs, colic & teething routines); perfect doesn't exist discussions; postpartum is forever poem
- Weds 8 Nurture: baby massage (legs, tummy); your needs matter discussions; mother's value poem
- Weds 15 Nurture: baby massage (tummy; arms & chest); self-care doesn't work discussions; not everyday is beautiful poem
- Weds 22 Nurture: Halloween class, baby massage (back, arms & chest); your feelings matter discussions; all I see is you poem
- Weds 29: No classes
NOVEMBER
- Weds 5 Nurture: baby massage (back, head & face); guilt discussions; mother in waiting poem
- Weds 12 Nurture: baby massage (head & face, legs); boundaries not balance discussions; with you poem
- Weds 19 Nurture: baby massage (legs, colic & teething routines); loneliness & disconnection discussions; looking for her poem
- Weds 26 Nurture: baby massage (legs, tummy); fear & anxiety discussions; not just poem
DECEMBER
- Weds 3 Nurture: baby massage (tummy, arms & chest); postpartum ritual & 9-box grid discussions; And a little, I let go poem
- Weds 10 Nurture: baby massage (back, arms & chest); motherhood is meant to change you discussions; change poem
- Weds 17 Nurture: Christmas class, baby massage (back, head & face); how to get on your own side/gratitude discussions; fairy mother poem
- Weds 24: No classes
- Weds 31: No classes
If you aren't interested in a theme or it doesn't seem relevant, please keep an open mind. We adapt discussions AND most importantly postures/massage strokes EVERY week for EVERYONE in the room. These classes are personal and tailored for your needs. I have been running the classes for 8 years so I have many years of experience!
Price and booking options
The classes are booked in rolling 6 week blocks, and you can start any week subject to availability.
Nurture baby massage costs £72 (which includes £16 of products for mum AND baby, plus a cotton bag).
Upon signing up to a block of classes for the first time, you will also receive a goodie bag at your first in-person class, which includes a Take Five Aromatherapy Recover & Rest with Botanicals & Zest rollerball RRP £6.00. This blend supports rest and recovery, at a time when you need it the most; it aims to balance the mind and rejuvenate with Neroli, uplift and energise with Lemon, and relax your muscles and mind with healing Lavender.
You will also receive a Neals Yard baby massage oil, 50ml, RRP £10. This 100% organic baby massage oil gently softens the skin for a soothing, bonding massage. Infused with chamomile, rose and lavender essential oils, it's perfect for baby's delicate skin. It is gentle enough for newborns 3kg/6lb 10oz and over.
To book onto a block, please complete the following booking form; full payment will be taken at the same time.
https://YogaWithAliceD.as.me/nurture
You can adjust your booking to accommodate prior engagements i.e. holidays/appointments when signing up. No amendments can be made after the time of booking.
TIPS ON BOOKING
To complete the form, please select the first date and time you wish to start, then ‘select and make recurring’ to six weeks. If the class is full, or there is no class a certain week, the date will show as unavailable. In this case, please add appointments until you have six dates in total. This system also allows you to remove dates you can’t make because of your own commitments, but remember to add another date to create your own tailored 6-weeks.
What do I need to bring?
I will provide all equipment (mats, blankets, pillows) to use at your discretion. It is your choice if you would like to bring your own mat in addition to place on top. Please bring milk and any favourite comforters or toys to help baby feel happy and relaxed. I would advise that you bring a bottle of water and wear some loose comfortable clothes for your yoga practice, including layers so you can easily adjust depending on whether you are lying still in relaxation or being more physical.
In addition for baby massage, I will provide baby massage mats. You may wish to also bring a towel to place on the baby massage mat so it is more comfortable for baby and either another towel or blanket to place on baby for the areas of their body which are not being massaged to keep them warm, or to keep you beautifully relaxed for the guided relaxations. You are welcome to perform a dry massage to baby and yourself over clothes, or use the oil provided on the skin directly.