JOHN DAY – Learn how to massage and nurture your baby during a series of infant massage classes to be held at Families First Parent Resource Center.

“Introduction to Infant Massage” will be held 10 a.m.-noon Mondays, April 6, 13, 20 and 27. Parents must preregister and the cost is $20 for all four sessions.

Margot Heiniger-White, a certified infant massage instructor, will teach parents how to massage their baby, as well as the theoretical background and research on infant massage.

Other topics to be covered include specific strokes and special techniques for colicky babies. Parents will be able to learn the techniques with their babies while in a relaxed and non-stressful small group setting.

Massaging infants promotes bonding, and both verbal and nonverbal communication skills. It also helps stimulate circulation, digestion, the nervous system and muscular development, while relieving gas, colic and muscular tension. It improves sleeping patterns and lowers levels of stress hormones, too.

The benefits and importance of infant massage are well-documented. According to Tiffany Field, PhD., director of the Touch Research Institute, “We know now that infant massage helps growth and development. Babies who are massaged gain more weight, they sleep better, they are less irritable and they are more responsive.”

Heiniger-White is a retired occupational therapist, who completed her infant massage certification in 2008. She has taught newborn massage to mothers for the past five years.

Families First is located at 401 South Canyon Blvd. in John Day. For more information call 575-1006.