Stacy Richer of Fairfield had always been intrigued by infant massage. So when her six-month-old son Adam was struggling with constipation after she began feeding him solid food, she signed up for the new infant massage classes at Norwalk Hospital.

Last Tuesday, Adam cooed and wiggled around at his first massage class, instructed by certified infant massage therapist Jodi M. Hoey. But after several strokes focusing on his legs, feet and abdomen, he succumbed to their soothing effects. By the end of the hour-long class, he had fallen asleep in his mom's arms following a feeding. It was a beautiful thing.

Hoey pointed out that there is nothing more beautiful than the bond between parents and their child that deepens with infant massage.

"I encourage parents to feel the warmth of their baby's skin, their rolls, their roundness, their muscle tone. The more present you are the better you respond to their needs. This class will allow you to respectfully listen to your baby's nonverbal communications and signals through your hands, allowing you to respond with love," Hoey said.

In addition to deepening bonds and promoting trust between a mother and child, massage calms babies so they can have a more restful sleep. There is

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also scientific research that shows massage has many health benefits for infants as well.

"Touch is as necessary to the human body as food," Hoey said. For instance, virtually all sustaining systems respiratory, digestive, nervous, circulatory and endocrine improved their functions through massage. Massage also promotes peristalsis - wavelike movement in the intestines - to aid in digestion, and promotes food absorption through nerve stimulation in the brain, which facilitates weight gain. And by stimulating the nervous system through the skin, Hoey said that the massage also increases muscle tone, coordination and brain function.

There are certain times when it is not good to massage babies, however, and Hoey went over some examples at the beginning of the class. For instance, babies should weigh at least three pounds and they shouldn't have a fever above 100 degrees. Also it is not advised to massage a baby if they have a fracture or incision, if they have hemophilia, a compromised immune system or any pathological conditions that can be spread along the skin or through the lymph or blood system.

Before demonstrating some key strokes on her doll Lola, Hoey gave Richer some cold-pressed oil to apply to her hands to ensure a smooth, rhythmic flow during the massage. Safflower, grapeseed, sesame and sunflower oils feel particularly nice on an infant's skin, according to Hoey. She recommended avoiding nut oils in case of allergies.

Hoey also advised Richer to be aware of time out signals Adam might give her, such as arching his back, putting his hands up as if gesturing to stop and crying the "I need help" cry. "You want to be respectful of where your child is at. When you are massaging your baby they might give a signal that they are overstimulated, overwhelmed or just uncomfortable. That's when you step back and be respectful of where they are and stop. You will become an expert with your baby. You'll know right away what your baby's needs are and you will be able to respond appropriately," Hoey said. Setting the mood

Right before the massage started Hoey told Richer to take a deep breath to relax herself and to get grounded since any stress she might be carrying could easily be transferred to Adam. "Also I always like to ask the babies if they are ready for their massage before we start the massage, just so they know what respectful touch is and that we are respecting their boundaries," Hoey said.

The first stroke she showed Richer was the opening stretch. For this stroke, Richer had to place her fingertips at the top of Adam's hip and begin a rolling motion with her fingers while keeping her hands in position under his bottom. The motion creates a sensation as if the baby is floating on a wave.

From there, Hoey moved on to the legs. She instructed Richer to hold Adam's foot with one hand, resting her thumb on the sole and supporting his ankle with her fingers. Then she showed her how to take her other hand and begin to "milk" the leg, using a wringing motion with the inside edge of the hand and encompassing the whole leg. The movement is supposed to be rhythmic and travel down the leg from the thigh to the ankle.

Another stroke Hoey showed Richer was the "I Love You" stroke, which helps remove gas from the large intestine. Pressing about a ½ inch in with the pads of her right fingers on Adam's left side beneath his ribs, Richer began moving her hand in the shape of a capital I, upside-down L and an upside-down U.

"The strokes are so simple, yet they have such a profound effect, " Hoey said.

The strokes in the first class focused on the front of the infant, but by the third class Hoey teaches strokes for the back as well. While Adam seemed to enjoy his first massage, Hoey pointed out some babies may be more fussy their first time.

"But I tell parents not to get discouraged. It's a new stimulus. Just honor where they are at. You want to take it slowly and you don't want to overwhelm them. But the more you do it and incorporate it with your daily routine, the more beneficial it will be for the baby and for you. Because when they are down for a more restful sleep, you can get more done or catch up on your own rest."

Hoey also emphasized that the infant massage classes are great for women who are still pregnant. "They can come and learn so they are ready to go," she said.

The hospital is offering daytime and evening classes. The cost is $95 and includes three consecutive weekly classes lasting 45 minutes, educational materials and massage oils. For information, call 852-2742.