Mums given tips on baby massage

NEW mums at their wits’ end from lack of shut-eye are being offered tips to get their babies to sleep.

A series of day-time workshops are being held at supermarkets across the country to demonstrate techniques of soothing baby massage.

United States academic Dr Jodi Mindell, who specialises in infant sleep disorders, helped during research into a new technique of ensuring a good night’s rest for infants.

The technique involves bathing babies in warm water, massaging them with lotion and then carrying out a relaxing activity like reading, cuddling or playing music before putting them to bed.

The technique is being marketed by a baby care products firm, which is staging a series of roadshows in supermarkets until September 9.

“Getting enough sleep affects many aspects of an infant’s wellbeing such as mood, overall health, how well they learn and how they behave,” said Dr Mindell.

“Sleep is not negotiable as it is vital to our mental and physical wellbeing.”

A study of the massage technique showed the routine improved infant sleep while reducing the tension of mothers.

The findings showed babies fell asleep faster and slept longer — with “night-awakenings” reduced by half.

Until Sunday the roadshow will be at Tesco’s Dublin Clearwater as well as at the supermarket’s stores in Wexford, Clonmel and Tullamore.

From August 30 to September 2, the workshops will be at the store’s Clarehall and Dundrum branches, both in Dublin, and at Ardkeen, Limerick and Portlaoise. From September 6 until September 9 the demonstrations will be at Tesco Dundrum.