Snuggly Start
Heloise Stauff, Certified Educator of Infant Massage
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Feel more connected to your baby—one gentle touch at a time.
Infant massage gives you simple, gentle tools to connect with your baby, understand they cues, and support relaxation and comfort: all while building confidence in everyday caregiving.
Infant massage classes and workshops
for parents and babies in Oak Park and the Chicago West Suburbs
Certified Educator of Infant Massage • Teaching families since 2019
More than a massage. It’s a way to connect.
Infant massage isn't about getting every technique perfect. It's about slowing down, being present, and learning to listen to your baby through touch.
Through my classes, you'll learn how to:
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Build connection: Create a special time of closeness with your baby.
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Understand your baby’s cues: Learn when your baby is ready for touch and when they need a break.
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Support relaxation and comfort: Explore gentle techniques that may support relaxation, digestion, and common discomforts.
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Feel more confident: Gain practical tools you can use at home, at your own pace.
You might be wondering…
“How can I connect more with my baby?”
“What can I do when my baby is fussy or uncomfortable?”
“How do I know what my baby is trying to tell me?”
“I want to feel more confident caring for my baby.”
“I would love to have a special routine we can enjoy together.”
Infant massage can give you a simple way to slow down, observe your baby, and respond to their individual needs.
What Families Discover
Claire and Renaud
"What I liked the most is that we could learn Infant Massage privately at home. Heloise is really available and help to be more confident in the relationship with the baby. I learned that my baby likes to be touched and that he is already asking things. Heloise is gentle, open, with no judgement and she gives suggestions when asked."
Mattea and Brandon
"My baby is calmer and has less gas with massage. I feel that massage is an easy consistent way to bond with mommy/daddy and baby. Heloise is very good at coming up with easy ways to help us remember the strokes. And she is very good at looking up answers to questions she did not immediately know the answers to."
Ava
"We had some better evenings after a massage – helped with the “witching hour”. And after this class we both had more periods of relaxation and calm play time. I loved this class! Heloise did a great job. Thank you!”
Join an Upcoming Class
Looking for an infant massage class you can join? Explore upcoming series and workshops in Oak Park and the surrounding communities.
5-Week Infant Massage Series
📍 Unity of Oak Park, 405 N. Euclid avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302
📅 Thursday, October 29 - December 3. No class on Thursday, November 26 (Thanksgiving)
🕐 11:00am - 12:15pm
👶 Babies 0–12 months
A small-group experience where you'll learn infant massage techniques week by week
while connecting with your baby and other local parents.
4-Week Infant Massage Series
📍 Le Village Cowork, Old Route 66, 7853 43rd St, Lyons, IL 60534
📅 Saturday, October 31 - November 21
🕐 9:30am - 10:45am
👶 Babies 0–12 months
A small-group experience where you'll learn infant massage techniques week by week
while connecting with your baby and other local parents.
Looking for another date or location?
Infant Massage Classes for Parents in Oak Park, IL & Chicago West Suburbs
Not sure which class is right for you?
Most families start with an on-site class. It's a simple way to discover infant massage and learn alongside other parents you can connect with.
Group Classes and Workshops Oak Park, IL and the Chicago West Suburbs
Connect with other caregivers while enjoying quality bonding time with your baby.
Baby age: 0–12 months
5 weekly sessions OR 1 week intro session
75 - 90 minutes each
$140 OR $40
On-site
Includes: massage routine, soothing techniques, cues reading
Ideal for: parents wanting to connect more with other families
Prefer to learn at home? Private and at-home group classes are also available.
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Group Classes at Your Home
Invite friends, neighbors, or other parents to learn together in your home.
Baby age: 0–12 months
5 weekly sessions
75 minutes each
$70–$110 depending on group size
In the comfort of one family's home
Includes: massage routine, soothing techniques, cues reading
Ideal for: parents wanting to connect more with other families and for babies birth to precrawling
What happens during an infant massage class?
You don't need any experience. And your baby doesn't need to be perfectly calm or cooperative.
Together, we'll learn gentle massage techniques for different parts of your baby's body while talking about:
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Baby cues and behavioral states
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When and how to offer massage
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Crying and communication
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Gas and digestive discomfort
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Relaxation and sleep
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Adapting massage as your baby grows
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Respectful, nurturing touch
And yes—your baby can eat, sleep, cry, or take a break during class. We follow your baby's cues rather than expecting your baby to follow a schedule.
More Ways to Connect
Dads and Babies Classes: A special opportunity for dads and babies to connect through nurturing touch.
Infant Massage Baby Shower Workshops: A hands-on introduction to infant massage for family and friends.
Community & Professional Workshops and Classes: for caregivers, organizations and local partners.
A partnership with In Touch Pediatrics and Lactation
Workshops in partnership with the Park District of Oak Park (IL)
Discover Infant Massage
Curious about infant massage? Come meet Heloise and discover how nurturing touch can support connection with your baby.
New guest talks and community events will be added here throughout the year.
Oak Park Main Library
834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL
Tuesday, October 13 at 11:00 AM, following Baby Story Time
You can also add my classes and workshops to your baby registry on Be Her Village.
Trusted by 40+ families in Oak Park and the Chicago area.
Not sure which class is right for you?
I’m happy to help!
You can send me a quick message and I’ll guide you to the best option for you and your baby.
Most classes and workshops are offered on a sliding scale, because cost shouldn't be a barrier.
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October 2026
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Hi, I'm Heloise
I'm a Certified Educator of Infant Massage and the founder of Snuggly Start. I became certified with Infant Massage USA in 2019.
My background in psychomotor therapy and my experience working with children and supporting parents have shaped the way I teach infant massage: with an understanding of both the baby's body and the parent-baby relationship.
As a mother of three, I also know that those early months can be beautiful, overwhelming, and full of questions.
My goal is to give you a simple, nurturing practice you can make your own.
Credit photo: Anne-Capucine Stauff
Community Care Infant Massage Program
Accessibility matters to me.
I offer sliding-scale and discounted infant massage classes and workshops for families facing financial challenges.
When families pay full price, 10% goes toward my scholarship program, helping make these classes accessible to low-income families.
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