My Experience Delivering Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies

When I trained in Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies, I was already a qualified IAIM Infant

Massage Instructor and pregnant with my third child. I already loved running my courses but

wanted to offer something a little more, so training in Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies seemed

like the perfect fit for me. It wasn’t an easy pregnancy — I was living with sciatica, looking after

two energetic young boys, and struggling with my mental health. It often felt like I was running

on empty.

For me, Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies felt like the perfect follow-on from Baby Massage.

Infant massage focuses on early communication and bonding, giving parents a beautiful

foundation with their baby. The Wellbeing course takes that further — supporting not only the

baby’s development, but also the mother’s wellbeing, confidence, and sense of connection.

That’s why the training meant so much to me. It wasn’t just professional development — it was

personal healing. I experienced many “light bulb” moments during the course and afterwards

made a conscious effort to make my life better by prioritising myself more and making some

changes to the way I lived. Learning about the importance of touch, connection, and slowing

down gave me space to breathe and reminded me that I mattered, too.

I learnt so much from the course content myself that I couldn’t wait to spread the word and

deliver the courses to mums. I knew they would benefit in so many ways — not just through

learning techniques for their little ones, but by feeling calmer, more supported, and less alone.

Why these sessions matter

What I love about Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies is that it creates a safe, gentle space

where mums can pause the never-ending cycle. A space where they can be themselves and be

accepted just as they are — no matter where they’re at — where they can find support, and

where their babies can receive the love and connection they need to thrive.

The sessions have a primary focus on the mother’s wellbeing. They teach mums that they are a

priority too and provide a precious opportunity to take care of themselves for a change. So

often, mothers put themselves last — these sessions gently shift that balance and remind them

that their needs matter just as much as their baby’s. I love this about the course too, because

I’ve seen how powerful it is when a mum realises that taking care of herself is just as important

as caring for her baby.

Becoming a mother — whether it’s your first baby or your third — can feel overwhelming. Sleep

deprivation, physical pain, and the quiet pressure of trying to “hold it all together” take their toll.

On top of this, many mums talk about the never-ending to-do list that runs through their mind. It

can feel impossible to switch off, like you’re on high alert 24/7 when your baby is little.

And then there’s the loneliness. Motherhood can be a lonely place at times. Even surrounded

by people, it’s easy to feel unseen or misunderstood. That’s why creating spaces of calm and

connection matters so much — because when a mother feels supported, her baby feels it too.

A personal turning point

The summer holidays of 2023 were some of the hardest I’ve faced. My baby was 8 months old

and waking what felt like constantly through the night. My 5- and 6-year-old boys were always

on the go — fighting, needing something, never leaving my side. The constant noise and the

feeling of being “on” 24/7 was exhausting. I was juggling running my baby massage courses,

solo parenting regularly, breastfeeding, and weaning my baby. I hit a real low point. I felt

completely overwhelmed and frazzled.

When September came and the boys went back to school, I was still stuck in flight mode — on

high alert, waiting to be needed 24/7. On Jack and Sam’s first day back to school, I’ll never

forget the to-do list running through my mind: all the boring jobs I hadn’t managed over the

summer, like ordering vinyl for the bathroom floor, painting skirting boards, and deep-cleaning

the bathroom. So I dropped the boys at school and set off with Will in his pram to start ticking

things off. A new play café had just opened nearby, and I popped my head in to see what it was

like. I’ll never forget the moment I let go of the pram — I hadn’t put the brake on and it almost

rolled into a main road. That was my wake-up call to slow down.

The lessons I had learned during my training had always been there in the back of my mind, but

I was so sleep-deprived, overwhelmed, and stuck in survival mode that I kept pushing myself to

do, do, do. After the pram incident, I went straight to my mum’s house, sat in her garden, and

gave myself permission to do nothing. From that day on, I started tuning into myself more and

naturally began practising the techniques I’d learnt on the course.

I joined a gym, spent more time outdoors, and began using simple breathing techniques at night

to help me get to sleep. I also started using the self-massage techniques I had learned

whenever I felt stressed, and I’ve even created massage routines inspired by the course to help

my son regulate while he is in school. I made a conscious effort to look after myself — and to

finally prioritise me as much as I did the kids and the house.

Now, my boys are a little older, and Will has finally started to sleep through — which has made

the world of difference. I still make sure to be gentle with myself during their first week back at

school after the summer holidays. Because I truly believe that when you show up for yourself,

you’re more able to show up for the people who love and need you.

Inside the sessions

We always begin slowly. A breath. A smile. A reminder that every baby is welcome exactly as

they are. If they cry, need feeding, or just want to be held — that’s okay. There’s no judgement

here.

During the session, mums are guided through some simple but effective breathing and

stretching techniques, and also shown how to use gentle self-massage. These small practices

can make a big difference in helping mums feel calmer, more grounded, and more in tune with

themselves.

But what happens alongside the techniques is just as important. Mums start talking. They share

honestly about their weeks — the struggles, the small wins — and in those moments of

connection, you can see the relief on their faces: I’m not alone.

Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies allows mothers the chance to have meaningful conversations

in a safe space, without any judgement. These conversations often bring as much comfort and

reassurance as the practical techniques themselves.

During my sessions, mums often comment on how they find themselves comparing their lives to

others on Instagram. That constant pressure to “do it all” or “look perfect” can leave them feeling

like they’re not enough. We remind each other that half of the things people see on Instagram

are not reality at all. Social media can make everything look polished and effortless, but

motherhood is messy, tiring, and full of ups and downs — and that’s perfectly normal.

The topics we explore during the sessions are very thought-provoking and meaningful. They

often give mums a gentle nudge to make small changes in their daily lives — changes that not

only benefit their own wellbeing but also have a positive impact on their babies too.

The moments that stay with me

There are so many moments from these courses that stay with me. One mum, who had been

too anxious to leave the house, told me she began looking forward to the sessions each week,

and that they helped her feel more confident about getting out. Watching the babies’ faces light

up with awe as they observed their mothers taking care of themselves was also incredibly

moving.

I also remember a mum who shared that she struggles with PMDD and usually avoids social

situations, but she explained how much she enjoyed the course and how sad she felt when it

came to an end. I’ve also seen parents who started as strangers go on to form lasting

friendships. Some of the mums who attended my courses were not originally from the UK. One

admitted to feeling quite isolated at times because of this, but she found the group extremely

valuable as it gave her the opportunity to connect with others and build friendships. In fact, one

group of mums who met through a course still meet up every single week at the same spot, long

after the sessions ended. That sense of belonging is just as important as the wellbeing

techniques themselves.

Nearly all of the mums who attended commented in their feedback at the end of the course that

they didn’t want it to finish. Many asked for extra weeks to be added on and even suggested

different topics they would love to explore in future sessions. One mum even said she would be

willing to take annual leave from work to come back and do more sessions if they were created.

To me, that feedback showed just how much they valued the safe space, the friendships, and

the opportunity to talk as much as the practical techniques.

These moments remind me that wellbeing isn’t an “add-on” — it’s essential. Supporting mothers

supports babies, and in turn, strengthens families and communities.

What I’ve learned

Delivering wellbeing for mothers and babies has taught me that it’s not about doing more, but

about being present. Babies don’t need perfection; they need love, touch, and connection. And

mothers don’t need to “have it all together”; they need spaces where they can be supported,

heard, and nurtured, too.

I would recommend training to become a Wellbeing for Mothers and Babies facilitator to

anybody who feels called to support families in this way, and I would highly recommend that

every mother try the course for themselves. The benefits are truly life-changing.

Looking ahead

I feel grateful every day for the families who let me be part of their journey. My own challenges

led me to this work, and they continue to remind me why it matters so much. Every time a mum

leaves feeling lighter, calmer, and more confident, I know that the ripples of that moment will last

far beyond the session.

Written by Hannah Bromwell, founder of

Touch • Attach • Grow