Infant Massage Newcastle with Rochelle Dorman

15/04/2026

13/04/2026

Week 6 is a shift. Not just in crying… but in development

In the early weeks, your baby is mostly operating on reflex and instinct. Rooting, sucking, grasping, startle are all automatic to lay the foundation of volitional skills later on

They don’t have to think about anything, the body just does what it needs to survive outside the womb

But around 6 weeks, something starts to change. Their nervous system is waking up in a new way
They’re moving from mostly reflexive → toward more awareness and early self control

And that shift is loud. Crying peaks. Not as a coincidence, but as part of the transition. This phase is often called the Period of PURPLE Crying

Your baby is starting to:
• Take in more of the world around them
• Stay awake a little longer
• Notice faces, light, sound, movement
• Have the beginnings of social connection

But they don’t yet have the ability to organize or regulate all of that input. So it builds and crying becomes the outlet

This looks like:
• Longer wake windows that end in overwhelm
• Crying that ramps up quickly, especially in the evening
• A baby who seems alert one minute, then inconsolable the next
• Feeding that feels less sleepy and more active or even distracted

It’s a nervous system in transition

From automatic → to aware
From reflex → toward connection

Most babies will start to settle more around 8–10 weeks as their system becomes more organized as their brain and body are catching up to each other

Support the shift:
• Watch wake windows, overtiredness stacks quickly at this age
• Layer calming input: swaddling, rhythmic movement, white noise
• Put them in water or take them outside. It acts as a reset button
• Babywearing can give them contained, predictable sensory input
• Keep stimulation simple. You don’t need the black and white cards and educational activities all day, every day

And as their nervous system organizes you’ll start to see more of those connected, calm moments stretch a little longer

26/03/2026

🍂2 SPACES left for April First Touch Infant Massage Program.

More than learning massage strokes, this course offers space to connect with your baby and be supported in your own matrescence journey. Ideal for pre-crawling babies.

🍁Contact Rochelle for further information and to enrol and join the April First Touch Infant Massage group.
rochelle@infantmassagenewcastle.com.au

24/03/2026

24/03/2026

So much of motherhood is about caring for another…
but who is caring for you?

Practicing self compassion is a powerful first step and self-care tool in navigating the joys, challenges and life-changing experience of becoming a mother.

Kristin Neff's () work on self compassion and its core components of self kindness, common humanity and mindfulness aligns with the underlying elements of my infant massage and matrescence sessions.

Within the unpredictable and often overwhelming days of mothering it is vital that mothers are supported in finding ways to nurture themselves and prioritise their own needs.

Kristen says that there are two types of self compassion -'tender' and 'fierce', each requiring mothers to be accepting and kinder to themselves and take action to meet and prioritise their needs.

A few tips here on practicing tender and fierce self compassion and some daily 'drip drip rituals' that when done mindfully and with intention can become meaningful self-care 🤎

18/03/2026

✨Give a GIFT that NURTURES both MUM and BUB🧡🤎

17/03/2026

Sharing lovely feedback from a beautiful mum 🧡 More than just baby massage - this program is a gentle space for connection, calm and caring for baby and MUM x

16/03/2026

In the first three months, babies are still adapting to life outside the womb.

Massage during this stage may be very short — sometimes just a few minutes.
It can also be divided into small moments throughout the day.

There is no need to complete a full routine.

Newborns often move quickly between behavioural states. Being responsive to their cues is more important than finishing a sequence.

In the IAIM approach, we follow the baby’s rhythm.
If they pause, we pause.
If they need closeness instead of strokes, we hold.

Massage at this stage is about gentle introduction — building familiarity, trust, and comfort through respectful touch.

16/03/2026

✨🤱Infant massage invites a gentle pause in the rhythm of motherhood.

Through the simple, loving act of touch, mothers often find themselves slowing down, breathing more deeply, and being fully present with their baby.

In these quiet moments of connection, both mother and baby are nurtured - reminding us that caring for our babies can also be a way of caring for ourselves. 🤍

13/03/2026

Matrescence is the profound transition into motherhood - a time of change, reflection, grief, growth and becoming.

Honouring that unfolding journey and the importance of nurturing the mother along the way 🤎

12/03/2026

More than learning massage strokes, this course offers space to connect with your baby and be supported in your own matrescence journey. Ideal for pre-crawling babies.
🍁Contact Rochelle to enrol and join the April First Touch Infant Massage group.
rochelle@infantmassagenewcastle.com.au

08/03/2026

🪾🌿There is a name for the profound transition into motherhood -matrescence.

Just as adolescence transforms us into adults, matrescence transforms us into mothers.

The transition into motherhood can be beautiful, overwhelming, joyful and challenging - often all at once.

Matrescence reminds us that this experience is not something mothers are meant to navigate alone. Yet many mothers move through this season without spaces to pause and reflect on their own experience.

My matrescence workshops create a calm and nurturing space where mothers can feel seen, heard and supported while exploring this important transition together.

You are warmly invited to join the next workshop.

Tuesday March 17th and Tuesday March 24th.
rochelle@infantmassagenewcastle.com.au