Spotlight on…Victoria Rose-Carless

What does your job involve and why did you choose this career?

I’ve been a baby massage instructor for ten years now, working very closely with local children’s centres, with referrals from midwives, social services and family outreach workers, and running private courses. I am a qualified nursery nurse and beauty therapist, so baby massage was an easy choice for me. I am a certified CIMI with the International Association of Infant Massage.

You also support mothers suffering from post-natal depression…

Baby massage may help with so many things for the baby, including colic, wind, constipation, teething pain, anxiety, difficulty settling, and much more. It may also help with carers who are suffering from isolation, lack of confidence, difficulties bonding and post-natal depression.

The quality time spent massaging and placing your hands on your baby in a nurturing, loving way can promote positive feelings that aren’t always there when you give birth.

I have had the beautiful experience of watching primary carers bond with their babies for the first time.

Who benefits the most from baby massage?

Parents who have lost babies before or have had babies with additional needs, those who have nearly lost their baby or who have spent a long time in special care can benefit hugely.

These carers have been in trauma themselves, and babies tend to pick up on this. Massaging your baby when you have been through a life-changing, traumatic experience is incredibly healing and can focus your mind, put life back into perspective, and give you strength to carry on.

But baby massage can benefit so many families. I am the luckiest person in the world to see all these amazing things, and believe all babies and carers should experience the wonderful journey of massage.