Welcome
At Baby & Palm I offer warm, nurturing baby massage classes in the heart of the beautiful South Downs town of Petersfield, and across the surrounding Hampshire countryside.
Whether you are a first-time parent finding your feet, or looking to deepen the bond with your growing baby, you are very welcome here. Classes are small, friendly, and designed to fit around the reality of early parenthood.
My aim is to give you and your baby a calm, joyful space — a little pocket of time each week that is just for the two of you.
About Me
Hello, I'm Katherine Rivers — a registered paediatric nurse with many years of clinical experience caring for babies and young children. That background has given me a deep understanding of infant development, and an even deeper appreciation of how much the early weeks and months matter for both baby and parent.
I am a certified Infant Massage Instructor, trained and accredited by the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM). My training was completed through Baby & Child Massage, one of the UK's leading centres for infant massage instructor education.
I live locally and know how precious — and how exhausting — the early days can be. My classes are designed to be a genuinely restful, sociable, and restorative part of your week: for your baby, and for you.
Baby Massage
Baby massage is a simple, loving practice of using gentle touch to communicate with your baby. Drawing on techniques from Indian massage, Swedish massage, reflexology, and baby yoga, it is specifically designed for babies from birth up to around twelve months old.
Research consistently shows that regular massage helps to strengthen the bond between parent and baby, supports healthy physical development, aids digestion and sleep, and can be a meaningful source of comfort for babies experiencing colic or overstimulation. For parents, the quiet ritual of massage can ease the emotional challenges of the postnatal period and build confidence in reading your baby's cues.
You do not need any prior experience — just a willingness to be present with your baby. I will guide you through every stroke, every step of the way.
Courses
5-Week Group Course
My signature course runs across five weekly sessions, each lasting 90 minutes. Together we work through a complete sequence of baby massage techniques at a gentle, unhurried pace — so that by the end you feel confident and at ease practising at home.
Groups are kept intentionally small, creating a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Many parents find the course becomes a highlight of their week — a chance to slow down, connect with their baby, and meet other local families at the same stage of the journey.
Get in touch to find out about upcoming dates →One-to-One Sessions
Prefer a more personalised experience? I also offer one-to-one instruction, tailored entirely around you and your baby. This is a wonderful option if group settings feel overwhelming, if your baby has specific needs, or if you simply prefer the flexibility of a private session.
Contact me to arrange a session →