AS a new parent, it is hard to find the time to relax and unwind in between all the feeds and nappy changes.

But a baby massage class in Farnworth is set to help a number of families in Bolton prepare for birth and enjoy vital bonding time with their newborns after it was awarded a grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

The group, at St Vincent's Farnworth Ucan centre, was initially set up last year with help from Bolton Community Homes for a six month period, but the new grant will help keep the class going for a further 12 month as of May.

Both expectant mothers and their partners will be able to attend, as well as new parents and their babies, with a referral from their midwife.

Mum-of-three Jenny Thomasson, aged 29, started using the service towards the end of her pregnancy and has continued to attend after Esme, now six months, was born.

She said: "I was recommended the massage during pregnancy to help me keep calm. I was very busy with two other children and didn't have much 'me' time, so it was really beneficial. It gave me that time to myself and helped me focus on what I was going to do when I had the baby.

"With the massage you start on the baby's legs and tummy, which can help relieve colic. It also encourages your baby to roll over and increases blood supply. More importantly though it's valuable time to bond with your child. It helps muscles and joints develop and your baby recognises the feeling of touch. Esme loves it, and if she's happy, I'm happy.

"When I was pregnant it was a gorgeous feeling, especially because you are aching everywhere and can't move around comfortably. I had a bit of sciatica too, so the massage helped ease that. My husband has been really involved in it too, and was there at the birth. Now, he baths her and helps with the massaging, so it's very much a dual effort."

The class will be run by beauty therapist Tina Woods, who has specialised in pregnancy and baby massage.

She said: "If you help the mother's needs then you help the child's. Rubbing or soothing your child comes natural to parents, such as when you wind them, so it's just taken to the next level in the class. Plus the baby also gets the benefits of the comfort of touch."

Mothers — and fathers — can get referrals from their midwives to attend the class, which is due to take place monthly.

Debbie Hayes, centre manager at Ucan, added: "The group hasn't started just yet, but we have the funding from May for 12 months.We initially had funding for six months but this grant will allow us to continue providing the service for another year, which we are really excited about."

To find out when the class will begin, contact the centre on 01204 794951.