Vicky Dennis, pregnancy and infant massage therapist, enjoys the opportunity to build a network of lasting friendships
My day usually starts at 2pm and I work until 8pm. This varies from week to week depending on the demand from my clients. I have to be flexible to accommodate my clients and their babies.
I give full body pregnancy massage, infant massage and I teach mother and baby yoga classes.
I treat pregnant women from the start of their pregnancy right up to the end, and babies from birth to one year. The mother and baby will either attend classes for infant massage or mother and baby yoga classes.
Massage in pregnancy has so many benefits. During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many changes, some of them stressful and uncomfortable. Massage is a perfect way to reduce stress and promote a general sense of wellbeing.
It can also help the mother's body eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which can combat fatigue and help the mother feel more energetic.
Also, a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience too.
Each session lasts about one hour 15 minutes. I also give advice on exercises, stretches and yoga postures to help the mother through pregnancy and labour.
For the infant massage I use a baby dummy to teach the parent massage techniques for their babies, rather than massage the baby myself.
This way the mother learns useful techniques to treat her baby.
Infant massage is a carefully balanced combination of Swedish, Indian and reflexology techniques. It's an ancient tradition in many cultures and there's lots of evidence to show that touching and nurturing contact between parent and infant has an important impact on development.
Mother and baby yoga provides physical stimulation through flowing postures, holding, movement and deep relaxation. It encourages a happy, carefree and lively parent-infant interaction that develops as the baby grows.
It also helps relieve colic, wind and constipation because performing the moves on the baby can stimulate their digestive and nervous systems.
It also strengthens their muscles, keeps the spine straight and supple and promotes flexibility.
Yoga can be especially beneficial for mothers suffering postnatal depression and can help them get back into shape. The deep relaxation techniques also help parents cope with the stresses of early parenting.
I love balancing my time between mothers and infants, it's a very fulfilling job especially when you see problems such as colic and bad sleep patterns disappear with massage and yoga.
It's also a terrific way for mothers to interact, build a support network and create lasting friendships.