PARENTS terrified of being accused of child abuse are unwilling to even touch their own children, claims a Preston physiotherapist.

Pat Sutton, Physiotherapy Manager for the Guild Community Healthcare NHS Trust, said modern mums felt they needed permission to handle their babies. Now she has helped set up baby massage classes at West View Leisure Centre where mums are told how to give their children a gentle massage using almond oil.

Mrs Sutton said: "I think this group is needed as many parents are afraid to touch their babies because of the media coverage on child abuse.

"It helps mothers to be more confident handling their children"

She added the classes were beneficial for the babies too, helping them relax and go to sleep.

"It is like stress management for babies. I also think it is a lot better than the more traditional forms of baby care as it's natural."

The weekly sessions at West View Leisure Centre also give parents access to specialist advice from dietitians, dentists and speech therapists.

They are the brainchild of health visitors, medical officers and physiotherapists who worked together on a project looking at ways that they could improve the education of parents.

Run free of charge by the NHS the group is open to mums with babies between six weeks and nine months old. The group meet every Tuesday 10am-noon.

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