All children need love and affection to grow into confident, vibrant adults.

However for many years a hands-off approach, stressing verbal communications and technology, was the way to rear a child.

But now experts are championing the power of touch and encouraging parents to hug and cuddle their children.

An ancient art, infant massage has been practised in many cultures, particularly in Africa and Asia, as a natural part of child rearing.

Slowly, the value of infant massage is being acknowledged and introduced in the Western world as a valuable mothering skill.

And a number of studies have emphasised the importance of introducing mothers to the gentle practice of baby massage.

It is widely believed that a child touched in a loving manner will grow up feeling comfortable and secure.

"Touch is critical to newborns,'' said Fiona Eastaugh, an infant massage instructor with The Fitness Firm.

A ten-year veteran of massage therapy who studied at the Northern Institute in England, Ms Eastaugh honed her infant massage skills at a London hospital in order to become certified by the International Association of Infant Massage Instructors.

Ms Eastaugh said the benefits of infant massage were numerous, not just for the baby but for parents too.

"It aids in the bonding process for mother and baby and it helps the mother with postnatal depression,'' she said. "It is good for colicky babies and promotes good sleeping patterns.

"It's also a sensory simulation for babies, decreases fussiness and promotes relaxation for mother and child.'' And she said that infant massage was excellent for handicapped and chemically dependent babies.

"Studies have shown that premature babies that were given massages gained weight faster,'' Ms Eastaugh pointed out.

Experts say that babies can be massaged as early as one-week-old, but recommend that parents begin introducing massages when the infant is between one and nine-months-old.

Ms Eastaugh said she teaches parents or care-givers how to perform infant massage over five, one-hour sessions.

"Babies can't handle too much stimulation at one time,'' she explained.

"That is why I stretch it out over five sessions.

"And it gives parents time to get used to it and learn it. We start out with the legs because babies are used to being touched on their legs as a result of diaper changing and we build up from there.'' But she said that if a child does not want to be massaged during the class, she will demonstrate on a doll.

"The baby's needs are respected at all times''.