PARENTS are being encouraged to learn skills to enable them to give their babies a massage.

Experts say gentle massage can calm babies, is good for their skin, can help them sleep and increases the bond with their parents.

Classes organised by Sure Start Central, in Hartlepool, are being held to help parents learn how to massage their babies.

They are taught how to use sweeping movements up the baby's body and down their arms and legs with natural olive oil or sunflower oil.

Community nursery nurse Natalie Whyte said: "It's nice to give your baby a massage after a bath - it relaxes them and you. It is very easy to learn how to do the movements at one of our friendly, informal sessions. All parents need to bring is a towel and the lotion or oil they use on their baby."

Donna Long, whose baby girl, Lana, enjoys a massage, said: "It is quite easy and Lana seems to really like it."

The classes, which are for parents living within the SureStart Central area, are held at the beginning of each month at the Stranton Centre or Avondale Centre, in Hartlepool, from 2pm until 3pm.