Baby's First Float- My Review of America's First Infant Float Facility and Massage Spa

Today at lunchtime, myself and 3 other Moms from the Moms in the Heights group met up at Float Baby to do a fun activity with our infants - "Baby's First Float."

Float Baby is an Infant Spa where babies can move, float, splash around and 'swim,' enjoy water freedom, get a massage, hang with other babies, and Moms can socialize! It is the first facility in the U.S. of it's kind. There are 3 others like it around the world. Float Baby is located at Del Monte Drive at Voss here in Houston's Memorial/Galleria area. The business is owned and operated by Kristi Ison, a Certified Infant Massage Therapist and Entrepreneur.

Kristi is pictured below with her new float client, baby Olivia.

Since the Spa's opening 15 months ago, parents have found that babies eat more and sleep better after floating there. It is a wonderful infant movement activity. Newborns as young as 2 weeks old have come, and she has also accommodated infants as old as 9 months, but is more based on size than age.

The babies arrive and a head flotation device is placed around their neck so that they can move their limbs freely while enjoying their float in the spa. They are also given a satin-y swim diaper. This type of exercise for babies strengthens and develops their little muscles. It also is great for increasing mobility. Infants with torticollis benefit greatly from water therapy, and often see increased mobility- often as much as 5 degrees in turning their head after just one visit! Floating helps to relieve digestions issues in infants including gas and colic, and the combination of float along with massage relaxes the little ones as well. There are plenty of bath toys and bubbles in the spas to entertain them while they float.

My daughter, Gracie, sure enjoyed her float session! She loved spinning around and played in the water. She pushed herself off the bottom of the spa and moved all about. She smiled and chuckled. She made new friends and she worked up a good appetite too. She was ready to eat when she got out, and she'd eaten just before we arrived. Kristi, the Owner, also said they might take a much needed 3 or so hour nap afterwards. Sure enough, Gracie did! I am a firm believer that Aquatic Physical Therapy helps ease pain and ailments, is good for the brain and the soul, and is just plain fun.

The facility is just gorgeous! There are 3 spa tubs, comfortable and stylish lounge furniture and a massage pit in the middle where the babies lay on cushions post-float and Mommies can massage them. Organic oils and interactive instruction are provided. There are changing tables and scales there for convenience. The calming, clean white subway tiles give the space a sleek and modern look. The spa baths are immaculately cleaned. You can purchase innovative toys, baby apparel and accessories there, and you an even have your car washed while you enjoy the class from a service across the street! I mean WOW. Hello Service! The towels for drying babies off after the float are soft and warm. I can't say enough great things about this awesome place and cool experience! The babies loved it. So did the Moms!

My daughter, Grace...

Pictured below is my friend Kelli and her daughter, Olivia. They were there today!

Kristi offers an hour long class for $72...a 30 minute float and 30 minute massage for baby. Free coffee, sodas and water are available.

Man, my kid really lived it up today! And she totally should. That little fishy deserved it. She's my princess...



For more information about Float Baby, visit the website at www.floatbabies.com.