how infant massage can help your family
Welcoming a new baby into your life can be one of the most joyful, awe-inspiring experiences—and at times, one of the most overwhelming. Babies don’t come with a manual, and when they’re uncomfortable, fussy, or in pain, it can be incredibly hard to know exactly what they need. Watching a baby experience discomfort can feel helpless and stressful, especially when instincts and intuition don’t always feel like enough.
That’s where infant massage can make a meaningful difference.
These infant massage classes are designed to gently support both parent and baby through those early months by focusing on connection, comfort, and regulation. Through simple, guided techniques, parents learn how to help soothe common challenges such as gas, reflux, colic, indigestion, stiffness, and torticollis. These practices support a baby’s nervous system regulation, promote more restful sleep, and ease physical discomfort—offering a grounded, hands-on way to respond when a baby is in pain or distress.
Just as importantly, this work supports the parent. As skills grow in recognizing and responding to a baby’s cues, many parents feel more confident, more connected, and more at ease in caregiving. Massage becomes not just a tool, but a shared language—one that fosters trust, bonding, and calm for both.
Whether this is a first baby or not, these classes are designed to meet each family where they are. Every baby is different, and each parent/caregiver–baby relationship is unique. This space honors that—offering individualized support so responses can feel aligned with what works best for both parent and baby.
These classes are rooted in evidence-based practice and informed by my experience as a pediatric occupational therapist. The goal is to provide practical, accessible techniques that can be used every day—supporting comfort, development, and connection while nurturing confidence and calm.
These five-week infant massage sessions meet once a week for approximately 60–90 minutes, giving time to learn and practice different strokes and techniques that address common areas of discomfort throughout your baby’s body.
In-person group classes are offered in Chittenden County, VT, along with online group and individual sessions to meet a variety of needs.
Please contact me at LilaOTRL@gmail.com to inquire about setting up a group or individual class.
Why I Teach
I discovered infant massage after my first child was born, and it quickly became a cherished parts of our daily routine. I wish I had found it sooner— when those early weeks and months of parenthood felt overwhelming. For me, infant massage became a sweet, calming way to connect with my first child, develop rituals we could carry throughout life, and slow down in a world that feels fast-paced and full of distractions. It also gave my husband much more confidence holding a newborn after our second was born.
I’ve always been drawn to bodywork and mindful practices, exploring Reiki and craniosacral work even before becoming a licensed occupational therapist. Ultimately, I was looking for something that integrated science, wellness, and hands-on meaningful work. Infant massage does just that—merging evidence-based understanding with mindful, nurturing touch and empowering families. I love the intentionality of it, and teaching it allows me to share what I know and am passionate about with other families during this tender time of life.
Who Is This Class For?
This class is for parents and caregivers of babies ages 0–12 months, and classes are attended with your baby. Because infant massage is rooted in connection and trust, participants should be someone your baby knows and feels safe with.
Classes are baby-led and flexible—crying, feeding, diaper changes, movement, and breaks are always welcome. For families with multiple children, this is a special opportunity for one-on-one time that a new sibling might not usually get.
Gentle massage techniques can help support common infant challenges such as colic, congestion, and digestive discomfort, alongside simple guidance on positioning, movement, and overall development, informed by my background as a licensed occupational therapist.
This class is inclusive and welcoming to all families, providing a nurturing, nonjudgmental space for connection—with your baby and with other caregivers navigating this special, transitional time in life.
Email Lila at LilaOTRL@gmail.com to schedule a class.
Private, Virtual and in-person options available
"Touch is not optional in human development. It is foundational."
Tiffany Field, PhD, Touch Research Institute
