133 Pleasant Street, Berlin, NH  03570    603-752-2040  Donations

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Infant Massage Overview Infant Massage was introduced to the United States in 1976, and in 1992 the International Association of Infant Massage expanded globally. There are currently chapters in 25 countries around the world! Whether your baby is a newborn or several years old, massage can bring immediate and lasting results. Parents also reap many benefits from learning infant massage. This wonderful loving touch right from the start helps the infant bond with the parents. Infant massage benefits have been documented through evidence-based research. There are many benefits for the infant: • increased sense of love • feeling of acceptance • respect and trust • positive self-esteem • better sleep patterns • improved communication • body awareness • relaxation • muscle tone coordination • improved hormonal function • improvements in digestion, elimination, circulation and respiration • reduced discomfort from teething • reduced congestion • elimination of frustration from emotional stress • reduced cortisol which can reduce depressive symptoms Benefits for the caregiver include: • increase confidence in parenting • improved verbal and non-verbal communication • increased self-esteem • improved knowledge of infant’s cues • use of relaxation techniques • better sense of well being • harmony between caregivers • positive bond with a child • quality time with a new baby Infant Massage Program Through a generous grant from the New Hampshire Children’s Trust, Coos County Family Health is able to continue the Infant Massage Program as one of its many family support services. The complete CCFHS Infant Massage Program is a 5 session course, consisting of 1 class per week for 5 weeks, which is the recommended amount of time for parents to feel comfortable with the massage strokes. CCFHS also supports a nurse home visiting program for parents through the Family Resource Center’s Healthy Connections Program. The funding is provided through the New Hampshire Children’s Trust. The home visiting program includes instruction about infant massage. In addition a CCFHS representative will visit the Berlin WIC office, Gorham Family Resource Center Toddler Time, and AVH childbirth classes to offer demonstrations. For more information call: The Infant Massage Instructor and Certified Breast Feeding Peer Counselor, Andrea Labonville, RN at 603-752-2040 Or Nutritionist Certified Lactation Counselor, Nancy J. Bangs B.S., CLC at 603-752-2040 *NEW* Breastfeeding moms may now contact us via email for help at breastfeeding@ccfhs.org You can visit www.infantmassage.org  for news and research, articles of interest, infant massage then and now. Please consider donating $150 so that our infant massage and home visiting program can continue to support new parents.