MEETING A KNEAD; BABY MASSAGE STRENGTHENS BONDS.

Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer

Life couldn't be better for Bryan Sanford.

The 6-month-old baby spent two hours lying on a soft blanket while being massaged Friday by his dad, Chris Sanford.

``This is a better way to bond with Bryan,'' said Sanford, who was taking the place of his wife at the new program. ``I want to start a relationship with my son at an early age.''

Sanford was one of 13 parents learning the fine techniques of Indian and Swedish massage on their babies, part of a four-week infant massage program at the Borchard Park Community Center.

The program creates a means for mothers to connect and bond with their children, said instructor and massage therapist Jane Ivey.

``This is a real gift to society. Mothers are so much fun to work with - they're very eager to learn,'' Ivey said.

The massage program is important not only to the parents, but to Ivey as well. Ivey's own daughter Jennifer, now 32, was premature at birth with complications. Ivey said that when her baby was born, she was not allowed to hold her for over two weeks.

Ivey maintains that hospitals make it easier for mothers to hold their children after birth today, but back then, that wasn't the case.

``It was very hard not being able to hold my daughter when she was born,'' Ivey said. ``I think this is vitally important for parents and their children.''

Tracy Pirtle, who was playfully tickling her 3-month-old daughter, Katie, agreed with Ivey.

``I know how good it feels to get my back or feet rubbed, so it must feel good to her,'' Pirtle said.

Five-month-old Jacob Walker looked as though he was enjoying the program - a fascinated look in his eyes as his mother rubbed his tiny legs.

``This is the life for the babies,'' said first-time program participant Juanie Walker, mother of Jacob. ``They just kind of kick back while all their needs are met and they get massaged.''

Sue Byars, who was practicing her technique on her baby, Allison, hoped to get some good out of the massage program.

``This is a great chance to meet with other moms and dads,'' said Byars, also a first-time participant. ``Allison is very fussy, so I hope this might calm her down a bit.''

There are several benefits to infant massage, Ivey said. Massaging helps to soothe the infant, deepens bonding, improves communication between the parent and the child, and helps the baby relax, Ivey said.

The babies are laid down on a comfortable nest of blankets and pillows. The infants are softly massaged, stimulating the skin, which in turn stimulates brain activity and growth, Ivey said.

Oils are rubbed onto the children, helping with the massage process. Although some of the babies had looks of curiosity, some even terror, the majority of the tots looked happy.

Friday's program started with the legs and moved down to the feet of the babies. The program runs from 10 a.m. to noon every Friday for the next four weeks.

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Allison, 3 months, reacts positively to her mom, Sue Byars, during an infant massage class.

(2--Color) Seven-week-old Peter gets a foot massage from his mom, Jennifer Blok.

(3) Mothers learn to bond with their infants through massage Friday morning in Newbury Park.

Shaun Dyer/Daily News