The Benefits of Infant Massage
Just the Right Touch
In preparing for the birth of your baby, you have probably chosen lots of things to soothe your little one. Soft blankets, a cuddly stuffed animal or “lovey,” a mobile that plays a gentle tune. You may not realize the power to soothe is also in your hands.
Infant massage has been practiced by mothers for centuries. It can provide relief for babies who are teething, suffer from colic, constipation, or sleeplessness. It also offers an opportunity for parents to bond with their baby, which is especially important for new dads if mom is nursing.
Certified infant massage instructors have completed intensive training, course work and skill tests in the field of infant massage before becoming certified. You can ask your healthcare provider or hospital for a referral to classes, which are offered post-partum. And it’s never too late to start.
Infant massage can benefit newborns to toddlers by promoting relaxation and helping babies to calm themselves and cry less. Health benefits include improved digestion, respiration and circulation, enhanced immune system function and neurological development.
Massage helps babies sleep more soundly, helps relieve gas and colic, and relieves stress by reducing the levels of the hormone cortisol. It enhances the release of other hormones in the body, including growth hormones, which can help baby gain weight. Massage can even stimulate baby’s physiological systems, sparking neurons in the brain to grow and branch out.
Natural or organic oils, such as sweet almond, apricot, sesame or grapeseed may be used but are not required. Generally, a massage will last about 20 to 30 minutes but can be longer or shorter, depending on the needs of your baby. Massage can be offered at any time of day, but you may want to try it before or after bath time, or between feedings.
Parents benefit, too, from this quiet, relaxing, one-on-one time with baby. It can help you feel more confident as a caregiver, and help you understand the unique needs of your child. When you massage your baby, you are forming an attachment through eye contact, touch, the sound of your voice, smell, movement. Think of it as an unspoken language between you and your baby. It is another way for you to communicate, nurture and soothe, and an opportunity for both of you to slow down and just enjoy being together.
