Baby Spa has now opened its doors in Melbourne. But it is WAY more than just a day spa!

The spa offers a sanctuary for infants as young as two days old with hydrotherapy and gentle massage sessions. Plus expert advice from registered midwives and neo natal nurses.

Starting their schedule with a spa treatment, infants are supported by a flotation device as they bob around with their heads just above the water for 30 minutes.

‘The younger they attend the better it is for their development,’ owner Breanne Marquis told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘If a baby has been attending from early on they can stay until eight months old. We do offer Baby Spa to babies older than 6 months on a case by case basis.’

Babies are closely watched as they move around freely in a temperature-controlled neonatal water pod.

‘Our Bubby flotation device doesn’t touch the babies neck, it in fact supports the jaw and ears,’ Ms Marquis said.

‘We liken it to when you’re holding a newborn baby under their chin when burping. Babies are 97 per cent water, so the weight we are holding up is only around 100 grams, leaving them completely free to float.’

A visit to the spa, which is exclusively for infants, costs $85 per session or $720 for a package of 10 treatments.

‘We allow an hour for each babies appointment, Which includes 10-30min in the water, depending on their stimulation and age,’ she said.

‘There are many benefits from infants attending baby spa,’ she said.

‘Reflux, colic, hip dysplasia are all largely improved after even one visit. Being able to free float in a large body of water helps with their muscle and bone development as well as cognitive support.

‘Many babies who are very unsettled and not sleeping properly after attending baby spa have large sleeps afterwards and put them into a better sleep pattern.’

After their hydrotherapy session, the babies enjoy an indulgent massage, given by specialised therapists.

‘We [also] teach parents how to properly massage their baby,’ she said.

Parents also get an opportunity to ask the clinic’s registered midwives and trained nurses for parenting advice.

‘Baby Spa is a lot more than our name would suggest. We provide a sanctuary for parents to bring their children where they fill safe and supported,’ she said.

‘Unfortunately a lot of people don’t have that support network around them, so we become their community.

‘We help with the parent and child bond and their babies development. Having registered midwives and neo natal nurses as our staff is a terrific sounding board for parents to ask any questions they may have.’

Australia’s first Baby Spa opened in Perth last year.

Growing need comes with a warning

The problem with the growing need for such services is that some manufacturers and sellers will take advantage of this and try to recreate similar ‘cheaper’ products so parents can hold their own baby day spas at home. These products are actually very unsafe!

The ACCC are warning people of the increased risk of drowning if you purchase a similar product that isn’t used correctly or deflates during use.

Fair Trading Executive Director Brian Bauer said it was crucial parents chose safe water toys and floatation devices for their children, and closely supervised kids in and around water at all times.

“Baby neck floats were originally designed as medical aids for children with disability, but have recently proliferated as more recreational items,” Mr Bauer said.

“Unless baby neck floats are medically prescribed and professionally fitted, they can be very dangerous.

“If the float is too wide, the baby’s mouth and nose can become obstructed. If the float is too loose, the baby could slip through altogether. If the float is too tight, breathing may become laboured or the carotid artery compressed. There are also concerns around stability and the potential for the baby to tip over, particularly if other children are in the water creating an uneven surface.”  Read more HERE.

It is best to stick with a trip to the professionals if you want to treat your baby to a day spa!

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