Baby Massage in Dublin: Benefits, Techniques & What to Expect from a 5-Week Baby Massage Course
Welcoming a baby is a wonderful time, but those first few months can also come with plenty of questions. From tummy discomfort and teething to unsettled nights, new parents are often looking for gentle ways to comfort their baby and build a stronger connection.
Baby massage is a simple, nurturing practice that uses gentle touch and movement to support bonding, relaxation and communication between parent and baby.
At The Elbowroom in Dublin, we are delighted to introduce our new 5-week Baby Massage Course with Hannah Colgan, beginning 22 September 2026. The course is designed to give parents practical massage techniques they can use at home while creating a relaxed space to meet and connect with other new parents.
What is baby massage?
Baby massage involves using gentle, rhythmic strokes and movements on your baby’s body. It is not about giving your baby a deep or therapeutic massage. Instead, it is a calm, responsive form of touch that allows you and your baby to communicate through movement and connection.
Baby massage can become a lovely part of your daily routine, whether you use a few techniques after a bath, before bedtime or whenever your baby needs some extra comfort.
Most importantly, baby massage is baby-led. Your baby does not need to lie quietly throughout the whole session. They can feed, cry, move around or even sleep while you learn the techniques.
What are the benefits of baby massage?
Parents often choose baby massage because it provides a wonderful opportunity for bonding and can be a calming experience for both baby and parent.
Gentle baby massage may help to:
- Encourage parent-and-baby bonding
- Promote relaxation and calm
- Provide comforting touch when your baby is unsettled
- Support babies experiencing tummy discomfort
- Introduce gentle techniques that may be useful during teething
- Create a calming bedtime routine
- Help parents become more confident in responding to their baby’s cues
- Give parents dedicated time to connect with their baby through touch
Every baby is different, and massage is not a guaranteed treatment for colic, teething or sleep difficulties. The aim is to give parents gentle, practical tools that can be incorporated into everyday life.
Can baby massage help with sleep?
One of the questions parents often ask is whether baby massage can help their baby sleep.
A calming massage can form part of a relaxing bedtime routine and may help your baby associate gentle touch with winding down. However, babies’ sleep patterns vary considerably, particularly during the first year, so baby massage should not be viewed as a guaranteed solution for sleep problems.
Instead, think of it as one simple tool that can support a calm and connected routine.
Can baby massage help with tummy discomfort?
Gentle massage techniques can be particularly useful for parents who want to learn ways of comforting their baby when they experience tummy discomfort.
During the five-week course, you will learn different massage techniques and gentle movements that you can practise at home.
If your baby has persistent, severe or concerning digestive symptoms, always speak to your GP, public health nurse or another appropriate healthcare professional.
When can you start baby massage?
Baby massage can be introduced during the first year of life, provided your baby is well and comfortable with touch.
Our 5-week Baby Massage Course at The Elbowroom is suitable for babies from birth to one year old, making it a lovely opportunity for parents at different stages of their baby’s first year.
The most important thing is to follow your baby’s cues. If they are hungry, tired, distressed or simply not in the mood for massage, there is no need to continue.
What happens during a baby massage class?
Each week of our five-week course will introduce new massage techniques and gentle movements.
Rather than expecting babies to stay still for a structured class, the sessions are designed to be completely baby-led.
That means:
Your baby can cry.
Your baby can feed.
Your baby can sleep.
Your baby can move.
There is no pressure to have a perfectly behaved baby or to follow the session exactly as planned.
The course is as much about helping parents feel comfortable and confident as it is about learning massage techniques.
Why join a 5-week baby massage course?
Learning baby massage over five weeks gives you the opportunity to gradually build your knowledge rather than trying to learn everything in one session.
It also gives you time to practise between classes, get to know your baby’s responses to different types of touch and meet other parents who are going through a similar stage of life.
For many new parents, the social aspect is just as valuable as the massage itself.
Our baby massage course provides a relaxed opportunity to meet other new mums, share experiences and build a local support network during those important first months after giving birth.
Baby Massage Course in Dublin with Hannah Colgan
Our new 5-week Baby Massage Course is led by Hannah Colgan at The Elbowroom in Dublin.
Course dates
Tuesday 22 September – Tuesday 20 October 2026
Time: 10:00am–11:30am
Duration: 5 weeks
Suitable for: Babies from birth to 1 year old
Each week you’ll learn new techniques through gentle touch and movement, with plenty of flexibility to respond to your baby’s needs.
Is baby massage suitable for newborns?
Yes. The course is suitable for babies from birth onwards. However, massage should always be gentle and responsive to your baby’s individual needs.
You don’t need to wait until your baby can sit, crawl or interact in a particular way. In fact, the early months can be a wonderful time to introduce nurturing touch and begin developing your own communication with your baby.
Is baby massage suitable if my baby cries during class?
Absolutely.
One of the most important things to know about our course is that babies are welcome to be babies.
If your baby cries, you can stop the massage, pick them up, feed them, comfort them or simply take a break. If they fall asleep, that’s fine too.
There is no expectation that your baby will behave in a particular way during the session.
Baby massage in Dublin at The Elbowroom
If you’re looking for a baby massage course in Dublin, our five-week course offers a welcoming environment where you can learn practical techniques while spending quality time with your baby.
Whether you’re looking for ways to support bonding, learn comforting massage techniques, establish a calming routine or simply meet other new parents, this course is designed to support you during the first year of your baby’s life.
Join Hannah Colgan for five weeks of gentle touch, connection and support at The Elbowroom.
Book the 5-Week Baby Massage Course
This course may be redeemable through some health insurance policies. Check your individual policy and personal cover to find out whether you can claim back the cost of the course.