Why Experiences Make the Best Gifts for New Parents
New parents are often surrounded by helpful items during the first few months, but the gifts that truly stay with them are the experiences that help them feel more confident, calm, and connected with Baby. Whether you are choosing a baby shower gift, a birthday present, a holiday gift, or a thoughtful “welcome Baby” moment, experiences that support everyday routines tend to have the greatest impact.
Infant massage and simple movement activities are among the most meaningful experiences you can give. They nurture Baby’s development, strengthen bonding, and help parents enjoy the early months with confidence.
Infant Massage Deepens Connection and Supports Calm
Infant massage is one of the most effective ways parents can connect with Baby through touch. Gentle strokes stimulate Baby’s skin and muscle receptors, increasing circulation, supporting digestion, and helping Baby relax.
Research shows that nurturing touch increases oxytocin, a hormone linked to comfort and secure attachment.(1) When parents learn infant massage early on, they gain a practical tool they can use to soothe Baby and create a joyful bonding experience.
Movement Builds Baby’s Early Brain and Body
Baby learns through movement long before they take their first steps. Reaching, rolling, stretching, and gentle swaying activate the systems that support balance, coordination, and early sensory development. These early actions help Baby build the neural pathways that support learning, attention, and emotional regulation as they grow.
Research shows that shared, coordinated experiences between parent and Baby strengthen their sense of safety and connection.(2)(3) When parents participate in simple movement routines like tummy time, rhythmic holding, guided rolling, or playful stretches, Baby feels supported, secure, and ready to explore their world. These everyday motions give Baby a strong foundation for motor development.
The Best Beginnings Program – A Gift That Teaches Parents How to Massage AND Move Their Baby
The Best Beginnings Infant Massage and Movement Program gives parents a gentle, practical way to learn infant massage and early movement activities at their own pace. Created by a pediatric focused chiropractor and infant massage instructor, the program includes simple, follow along videos that show new parents exactly how to massage and move Baby. The explanations are clear, and the routines fit naturally into everyday life.
In the program, parents learn how to support Baby’s brain development, body awareness, connection, and confidence through touch and movement. This makes the Best Beginnings Program a thoughtful and long-lasting experience-based gift for baby showers, birthdays, holidays, or any moment when you want to give something meaningful.
References
Bennett, C., Underdown, A., & Barlow, J. (2013). Massage for promoting mental and physical health in typically developing infants under the age of six months. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2013(4), CD005038.
Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Handlin, L., & Petersson, M. (2015). Self-soothing behaviors with particular reference to oxytocin release induced by non-noxious sensory stimulation. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 1529.
Feldman, R. (2012). Parent infant synchrony: A biobehavioral model of mutual influences in the formation of affiliative bonds. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 77(2), 42–51.