You’re home with your new baby. Days blur into nights, your shoulders ache from feeding, your lower back twinges every time you stand, and you can’t imagine packing a changing bag just to travel to an appointment. If that sounds familiar, you’re exactly who I wrote this for. Post-natal massage at home can be a calm hour that helps you reset your body, soften the edges of stress, and feel more like yourself again, without the logistics of leaving the house.
What I Mean by Post-Natal Massage at Home
I’m a mobile massage therapist. I bring the treatment table, fresh linens, and everything we need to your home anywhere in or around Slough, Maidenhead, Windsor, Ealing, Richmond, Chiswick, and nearby areas within about 10 km of Slough. Post-natal massage is tailored specifically to the months after birth. It respects your recovery, your energy levels, feeding patterns, and the realities of life with a newborn.
It isn’t a spa day. It’s practical, gentle, and deeply restorative. We work at the pace your body can handle, and we adapt the session to however your day is going. If the baby wakes, we pause. If you’d rather have them snoozing beside you, that’s fine. If you want silence, you’ve got it. If you want to talk things through, I’m all ears.
How a Home Visit Works
- Before I arrive, we have a quick check-in by phone to discuss your stage of recovery, birth details, and what you’re hoping to address.
- On the day, I set up in a space that fits a table. A quiet corner of the living room is often perfect. No need to tidy for me.
- I bring bolsters and cushions for side-lying or semi-reclined positions, which are ideal in the early weeks, especially if you’re breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
- We can do 60 or 90 minutes, depending on your needs and how your day is going.
- Afterwards, I’ll leave you with simple, doable tips that fit new-parent life, not an extra to-do list.
Safety First
Your safety is the priority. Massage therapy can be adapted safely for most people after birth, but timing and technique matter. If you had a straightforward vaginal birth, you can usually receive a light, soothing massage as soon as you feel ready. After a caesarean, I avoid direct work near the incision until healing is well established, and I’ll show you very gentle techniques for scar care once you’re cleared. If you experienced complications such as heavy bleeding, infection, pre-eclampsia, blood pressure issues, or signs of clots (for example calf pain or swelling), we’ll liaise with your GP or midwife before any treatment.
We’ll also talk through medications, feeding, sleep, and anything else relevant. Let me know if you have diastasis recti, pelvic floor symptoms, or lingering back/hip pain. That helps me tailor the session carefully and respectfully.
Why Post-Natal Massage Helps
New parents often tell me they book a massage because “everything aches” and then notice a surprising number of other benefits. Here’s what you might experience.
Physical Relief Where You Need It Most
- Neck and shoulders: Feeding and rocking can load the upper back and neck. I use slow, thorough techniques to reduce muscle guarding and help you find easier alignment for feeding.
- Lower back and hips: The combination of hormonal changes and new movement patterns can leave the lower back and pelvis feeling unstable or sore. Gentle, supportive work and specific positioning can ease this without overloading you.
- Arms, wrists, and hands: Many new parents develop tight forearms and wrist pain (sometimes called “mum’s thumb”). Targeted forearm release, gentle joint mobilisation, and practical handling tips can help.
- Legs and feet: Standing, swaying, and disrupted sleep can leave the legs heavy and restless. Rhythmic techniques support circulation and reduce that “stuck” feeling.
- Caesarean or perineal recovery: When appropriate, I can show you very gentle, non-invasive scar care approaches and strategies for comfort in daily movements like rolling in bed or getting up from the sofa.
Emotional Ease and Nervous System Reset
After birth, emotions can be unpredictable. There is a lot of love, and sometimes a lot of overwhelm. Massage can help downshift your nervous system. Many clients say it’s the first time they’ve felt deeply calm for a while, which often improves sleep the same night. Having an hour where someone looks after you can be powerful in itself. If you tear up on the table, you’re not the first and won’t be the last. You’re safe with me.
Practical Convenience
At-home relaxation is more than a nice idea. It’s the difference between actually getting a treatment and putting it off. No driving across Slough, no parking worries in Windsor, no racing across Ealing in traffic, and no clock-watching in Chiswick because the baby is due a feed. I come to you, and we work around real life.
When Can You Start?
Vaginal Birth
If you feel ready and you’ve had no complications, light, nurturing massage can start quite soon. We’ll focus on comfort, circulation, and easing tension without deep pressure. If you’ve had stitches or a tear, we’ll avoid sensitive areas and adapt positions to keep you comfortable.
Caesarean Birth
I usually suggest waiting until your GP or midwife is happy with your healing before any bodywork near the abdomen. We can still do a thorough session focusing on shoulders, back, hips, legs, feet, and gentle overall relaxation. Scar massage, when appropriate and comfortable, is introduced gradually and always within your comfort level.
Red Flags to Discuss First
- Fever, infection, or unwellness
- Heavy bleeding or unexpected pain
- Severe calf pain or swelling
- Uncontrolled blood pressure issues
- Any concerns from your GP, midwife, or health visitor
If any of these apply, message me first. We’ll either adjust or postpone.
Positions That Make Post-Natal Massage Comfortable
Side-Lying With Pillows
Side-lying is a post-natal favourite because it’s comfortable even with tender areas or if you’re feeding. We use cushions between the knees, along the torso, and under the head so your neck and hips can relax. It also gives excellent access to the upper back, hips, and glutes without strain.
Semi-Reclined
If lying flat isn’t comfortable, semi-reclined on the table with support under your knees and head can be perfect. This is also helpful if you need to feed during the session, or if reflux makes lying flat unpleasant.
Face Down, If And When It Feels Okay
Some people really miss lying on their front. Once it’s comfortable, we can try short periods face down with careful support, always guided by your comfort and healing progress.
Common Post-Natal Issues I See (And How We Approach Them)
Feeding Neck and Shoulder Tension
Hunched shoulders and a forward head posture are almost universal in early parenthood. I use slow, sustained work to soften the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and pecs, paired with simple awareness cues for feeding positions. Often, one or two micro-adjustments does more than any amount of “sit up straight” advice.
Wrist and Thumb Pain
From lifting the baby seat to endless nappy changes, wrists take a hit. Gentle forearm release, addressing the thumb tendons, and showing you alternative holds can ease the strain. We keep it specific and careful, especially if you’re experiencing tingling or numbness.
Pelvic and Lower Back Discomfort
Relaxin and other hormonal shifts can leave joints feeling loose and muscles working overtime to compensate. I focus on comfort, stability, and gentle patterning rather than going deep too fast. If you’re under the care of a physio for pelvic floor or diastasis recti, I’ll align with their recommendations.
Swelling and Heavy Legs
Some swelling is common after birth. Calming, rhythmic strokes can support fluid movement. If there’s any concern about clots, we pause and seek medical advice first. Safety always comes first.
The Techniques I Use Post-Natally
Holistic Massage
A whole-body, responsive approach that adapts to how you feel on the day. Pressure is guided by your feedback, and the goal is a sense of ease rather than intensity for its own sake.
Harmonoflow™
My signature approach blends gentle rhythmic work, breath-led pacing, and focused techniques to coax tension to soften. It’s therapeutic, restorative, transformative, and immersive without ever feeling overwhelming. Many new parents find it helps them drop into deeper rest quickly.
Adapted Deep Tissue Massage
When appropriate, I use slower, precise pressure for stubborn knots, especially around the shoulder blades and hips. Post-natally, “deep” is not about force. It’s about the right angle, the right speed, and working with your breath so the body lets go.
Myofascial and Scar-Aware Work
Gentle myofascial techniques help ease tight bands around the ribcage, abdomen, and hips. For caesarean scars, once cleared, I introduce mild, comfortable techniques that can improve mobility and reduce sensitivity over time.
Preparing Your Space (No Need to Make It Perfect)
A Little Space, That’s All
All I need is enough room for the table and for me to walk around it. A living room works well. If you’re in an apartment in Ealing or a cosy terrace in Windsor, we’ll make it work. Please don’t tidy on my account. Newborn life is lived, not staged.
Comfort Details
- Warmth: A slightly warmer room helps muscles relax. I’ll bring a blanket and can adjust the setup as we go.
- Lighting: Soft light tends to be soothing. We can switch off overheads and use a lamp if you prefer.
- Sound: Silence, your playlist, or white noise for the baby. You choose.
What to Wear and What I Bring
Wear whatever’s easy to change out of, or stay in a loose top if you prefer a clothed treatment. I bring fragrance-free oils as standard. If you’d like very light aromatherapy, I’ll patch test and keep scents gentle so they don’t clash with feeding. I carry extra pillows, clean, warm linens, and sanitised equipment.
Baby Logistics
If your baby needs you at any point, we pause or adapt. Some babies settle on the table in side-lying with you. Others snooze in a pram or a cot nearby. If you have a partner or friend around, great. If not, we still make it work. The session is designed to flex with your reality, not the other way round.
Aftercare You Can Actually Do
Micro-Mobility, Not Homework
I’ll leave you with one or two tiny movements that fit into your day. For example:
- Shoulder “unshrug”: Inhale, gently lift shoulders, exhale and let them fully drop. Two slow cycles before each feed.
- Upper back opener: Hands behind head, elbows wide, small breath-led opening for 3 breaths, then relax. Repeat once or twice when you remember.
- Calf and foot release: Roll a small ball under the foot for 60 seconds while the kettle boils.
Feeding Position Tweaks
- Bring the baby to you, not you to the baby. Pillows under the elbow can be powerful.
- Rest your feet on a low stool to reduce lower back strain.
- Alternate sides you hold with, to share the load across wrists and shoulders.
Gentle Rhythm to Your Day
Short walks if and when you’re cleared, steady hydration, and moments of stillness help recovery. If you’re near Langley Leisure Centre and later feel ready for light pool sessions, that can be a lovely way to move, but only once your midwife or GP says you’re healed enough.
How Often Should You Book?
There isn’t a perfect schedule. Listen to your body and your life. A few examples I see often:
- Early reset: One 60-minute session in the first month for calming, gentle support.
- Shoulder rescue: Weekly or fortnightly sessions for 3 to 4 visits to settle neck/shoulder overload from feeding.
- C‑section support: Start with general relaxation, then introduce gentle scar-aware work later as appropriate.
- Ongoing maintenance: Monthly sessions to keep aches in check and sleep more comfortably.
Mini Stories From the Treatment Table
In Maidenhead, I worked with a new mum who dreaded feeding because of neck pain. We did two side-lying sessions, focused on upper back and chest opening, and practised a small position tweak with a cushion under her elbow. Her words at the third session: “It’s not perfect, but I’m not wincing anymore.” That’s a win.
In Windsor, a client post-caesarean felt “stuck” around her scar months later. We kept it slow, starting far from the incision with breath-led work, then introduced feather-light scar techniques when she felt ready. Over a handful of sessions, she noticed easier turning in bed and less pulling during stretches.
In Slough, a dad booked for his partner during those foggy early weeks. She fell asleep halfway through and woke saying, “That hour felt like three hours of rest.” If you nod off, that’s perfectly okay. Your body takes what it needs.
FAQs I’m Often Asked
Is massage safe if I’m breastfeeding or chestfeeding?
Yes. We avoid positions that compress sensitive areas, and we time the session around feeds if possible. Hydration and comfort are key. Oils are mild and unscented unless you request otherwise.
Will massage affect milk supply?
Massage generally supports relaxation, which may help let-down. There’s no evidence that typical massage reduces supply. If you have blocked ducts or mastitis, we’ll adapt and liaise with your healthcare professional.
Can I lie on my stomach?
If it’s comfortable and you’re far enough along in your recovery, yes, for short periods. Many prefer side-lying or semi-reclined for a while. We’ll test gently and see what feels best.
Do I need GP approval?
Not always, but if you’ve had complications, major surgery, or any concerns, I encourage a quick check with your GP or midwife first. Your safety comes first.
Do I need to clean the house?
No. Please don’t. Clear a small space if you can, but I work around daily life. If the washing is on the sofa and toys are everywhere, that’s normal.
Will you do deep tissue?
I can use adapted deep tissue techniques where appropriate, but post-natally we prioritise comfort and a nervous-system-friendly pace. “Effective” doesn’t have to mean “intense”.
Where I Work and How to Book
I offer mobile massage across Slough, Maidenhead, Windsor, Ealing, Richmond, Chiswick, and surrounding areas within roughly 10 km of Slough. If you’re nearby and unsure, just ask. I’m CNHC-registered, fully insured, and have more than 15 years’ experience. Whether you need a gentle holistic session, a targeted deep tissue focus for those shoulders, or a Harmonoflow™ treatment that brings your whole system down a gear, I’ll tailor it to you.
If you’re looking for a way to unwind without leaving the house, a mobile massage might be just what you need. To book post-natal massage in Slough or nearby, head to the booking page and choose a time that suits you. If you have questions before booking, you can read more about pre and post-natal massage or send me a message through the contact form. We’ll find an approach that fits your recovery, your home, and your life right now.
A Few Final Thoughts
Post-natal recovery isn’t linear. Some days feel fine, others feel heavy. Massage therapy won’t fix sleep deprivation or do the washing, but it can give your body and mind a pocket of rest and relief, right where you are. If you’re in Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, Ealing, Richmond, Chiswick, or just down the road from Langley Leisure Centre, I’m happy to come to you.
When your shoulders soften and your breath deepens, small things become easier. Lifting the baby. Standing up without bracing. Falling asleep more quickly. That’s the point. Helpful, human support, at home.
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