€15,000 Enables Infant Massage Programme for Vulnerable Babies at CHI Hospitals
Thanks to the generosity of individuals, communities, and corporate partners, Children’s Health Foundation (CHF) has funded an Infant Massage Programme at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), Crumlin and Temple Street, bringing comfort, connection, and care to hospitalised infants and their families.
For many babies in CHI’s neonatal units, the first weeks of life can involve complicated procedures, including abdominal surgery and tube feeding. While babies rely on these interventions, parents must manage both the emotional strain of their child’s condition and the physical separation, which can delay bonding and impact later development.
The Infant massage programme is now embedded as a non-medical, family-centred intervention within neonatal care with 13 trained instructors across CHI Crumlin & Temple Street. This expanded capacity ensures that infant massage is offered consistently to families when they need it most, reaching families at critical moments – complex congenital abnormalities, post-surgical needs, prematurity and palliative diagnoses.
For parents navigating long hospital stays and high levels of stress, infant massage provides an opportunity for connection, confidence and normality. “It was great to do something normal with him,” said a parent at CHI Crumlin.
“I didn’t expect to be able to do it after his surgery. Giving him the same massage I gave my other children reminded me that he’s no different – we just had to adjust for the area where he had surgery”.
The programme reaches families at crucial moments. “Research shows infant massage strengthens bonding, supports parental confidence, and improves infant and parent mental health. Staff also report that the programme is rewarding and beneficial, particularly for families receiving palliative care” said Stephanie Fleming Physiotherapy, Crumlin
Donor support has funded essential programme infrastructure, including:
13 infant massage demonstration dolls
3 premature-sized dolls, reflecting the neonatal population
Parent take-home educational materials, supporting learning beyond the hospital setting
Since its launch, the Infant Massage Programme has delivered meaningful and measurable impact for newborns and their families. With ongoing support, CHF plans to expand the programme further and introduce a formal evaluation to track improvements in parental confidence and bonding outcomes.
This programme illustrates how donations can make a real, immediate, and lasting difference – transforming care, empowering families, and enhancing the hospital experience for infants on their most vulnerable days.
Children’s Health Foundation (CHF) relies entirely on the kindness and generosity of individuals, communities and corporate partners across Ireland and beyond. It is only through this vital support that CHF can continue to deliver holistic care for the most vulnerable babies and their families, investing in life-saving equipment, essential family supports, enhanced facilities, new services and critical paediatric research.
