LU McLAREN is convinced of the benefits of massage on babies.

So when she moved to Brighton from London and was unable to find classes for her son Lucas, she decided to start her own.

She qualified as a massage teacher and set up sessions for babies and carers which have proved a great success.

Lucas, now 16 months, was born with a club foot and initially Lu took him for physiotherapy.

But she was dismayed when the treatment appeared to be causing him pain and decided to look for an alternative.

Afriend suggested baby massage and she was delighted by the calming effect it had on him.

Lu, 30, of Bourne Court, London Road, Brighton, said: "Physiotherapy was quite painful for Lucas.

"It made him cry and I just felt like he was getting hurt.

"He had his leg strapped and had an operation to help his foot.

"As a mum I just wanted to do something to help my son.

"The main benefit for me was I was able to help my son without feeling that I was hurting him.

"Without massage I would have felt so helpless."

Lu says massage has a whole range of benefits, from an alternative remedy for colic, teething and sleeping problems, and it also acts as a bonding session for parents and babies.

Afull massage is now part of Lucas's daily routine.

Lu starts on his legs, working her hands on to his stomach and chest, then turns him over and massages his back before putting him in a sitting position.

Afull body massage lasts around 20 minutes. Lu says during this period, eye-to-eye contact between carer and child is essential bonding.

She said: "The benefits are amazing. Baby massage is not very common because people see it as an alternative form of medicine, but it's really a passive exercise.

"The main benefit is having quality time for you and your baby.

"It's so hectic being a mum. You can be with your baby all day, but you get to the evening and find you haven't really spent any quality time with him."

Lu said carers should create their own system of massage to suit each individual baby.

"Some babies take a couple of weeks to get used to it. After being in a foetal position for so long in the womb, massage manipulates and helps stretch babies' limbs.

"If the child cries or wants a cuddle, the carer can always stop and give the child what they want before stopping or carrying on with the massage.

"All babies enjoy massage but it does vary from baby to baby how much and what areas they like most."

She believes massage is particularly good for premature babies and those born by caesarean section.

Lu said: "Having a premature baby can be quite daunting as you can't touch them for a while after they are born, so massage can help form a much-needed bond.

"Being born is the biggest massage a person has in their lives.

"If a child is born by caesarean they miss out on that massage, so they can benefit enormously by having regular massages after birth."

She said many people comment on how relaxed Lucas is and what good posture he has.

She added: "I'm sure it's as a result of his daily massage."

Lu had such a great response to her initial classes, run as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival at the Ray Tindle Centre, Brighton, that she plans to continue them.

For more information, call her on 01273 558986.

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