"Touch is one of our first developed senses," Jennifer Fritz, a massage practitioner who recently started teaching infant massage courses in Helena.

Fritz, who offers infant massage classes, says it teaches the child and parent (or caregiver) to communicate in a nonverbal way, an important skill to learn considering babies do not talk.

"It is crucial for bonding and attachment," she said. "By doing infant massage you are learning to read your baby's cues."

Kaylene Cook just began learning how to massage her 6-month-old son Skyler.

"You can tell he's actually looking at you knowing you are loving him," Cook said.

She gives Skyler a massage in the evenings after a bath and says it has helped him to sleep much better than he used to.

Some say all of us can benefit from caring touch, but in particular the tiny people new to the world who need reassurance that someone loves and cares for them.

Fritz said she believes massage offers a calming effect by slowing the body down, allowing babies to relax, as well as parents. It increases confidence and handling skills for parents while enhancing communication and emotional ties.

Infant massage also helps fathers to enhance the bond with their babies.

"Dads are welcome to come," Fritz said. "We actually encourage it. It is a helpful way to fathers to get that skin to skin contact."

According to the International Loving Touch Foundation of Portland, Ore., psychological and sensory input is essential in facilitating the development of infants.

Fritz says the many beneficial aspects include improved circulations, reduces gas problems and colic.

"It also teaches healthy touch," she said.

With the exception of babies with medical problems, the rule rather than the exception is that massage greatly reduces (if not resolves) fussiness within the first week, according to an article written by licensed massage therapist Maria Mathias of Albuquerque, N.M.

For premature babies, massage has been reported to stimulate food absorption, Fritz said.

A study conducted at the University of Miami Medical Center showed that massaged pre-term babies averaged a 47 percent greater weight gain per day than those who were not.

Fritz says massaging her children (now ages 11 and 6) came natural, and even though she hadn't received proper training she recalls rubbing lotion on them after baths.

"It was just a nice time to sit and enjoy your baby without distractions," she said.

Fritz has been certified for adult massage for years, but really feels like helping parents learn about infant massage is her calling. So about a year ago she became a certified infant massage instructor through the Loving Touch Foundation at the Walla Walla School of Nursing in Oregon.

"I love children and always wanted to work with kids," she said.

During the courses Fritz helps parents learn massage strokes as well as appropriate amount of pressure.

"Not every baby is going to like it the same," she said adding that she encourages each parent to personalize their approach.

Giving toddlers or infants a massage is a perfect time to sing nursery rhymes and talk with little ones.

"The most important thing is to have eye contact," she said.

It is very interactive and important to keep them (infants or toddlers) involved, she said.

The Loving Touch Foundation says it is never too late to begin massage and can bring immediate and long-lasting results.

Fritz has courses scheduled with opening available now through March.

Massage classes start Thursday

Parent-infant/toddler massage classes are offered in the mornings at the Evangelical Covenant Church at 800 N. Hoback room 201 from 9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. and in the evenings the Helena Pediatric Clinic at 112 N. Montana Ave. from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

The next session begins this week and runs every Thursday through Feb. 1.

Cost is $80 per session which includes four classes and class size is limited to eight.

Private classes are available for toddlers, special needs and private groups.

Call Jennifer Fritz at 459-2661 for more information.