Infant Massage
The anticipated wonder and joy of the arrival of your newborn is often coupled with feelings of fatigue, inadequacy and in some cases delays in bonding.
As a new mom you may know all the theory, you've read all the books but putting it into practice can be terrifying. Legions of parents have difficulty dealing with "gassy colicky" babies, interrupted sleeping patterns, and crying episodes.
Infant massage is a wonderful way to resolve many of these issues.
For generations, mothers the world over have known that the soft stroke of their hands soothes, calms and communicates their love to their babies. Now authorities say that scientific research proves that massage can do all that and more.
Advocates of massage state that it
- Improves sleep
- Facilitates bonding
- Eases colic and gas
- Calms infants
- Eases pain
- Boosts the immune system
- Tones the digestive system
- Helps with weight gain, growth and development
- The massager takes time out to de-stress
Guide to doing a massage:
Baby should be in a quiet alert state.
Time- it is good to do it at the same time every day. Babies thrive on routine. This can be in the morning or at night after a bath. A full body massage can take from 10-20 minutes.
Oil- oil is used to prevent friction occurring between your hands and baby's skin. A vegetable or plant oil [edible] is recommended. The two most common are grapeseed and almond oil.
Temperature- you will be removing all the clothes so make sure the room is warm and quiet.
Preparing yourself- before you begin the massage wash your hands and remove jewelry. Make sure you're relaxed. Remember that the more calm and at ease you are, the more your baby will respond.
One of the major benefits of Infant Massage is learning to communicate together. Eye contact is encouraged, as is chatting and singing to baby.
Your entire family can benefit from the loving art of massage. Give your children this gift of love and security. You will be participating in helping to create a future generation that is compassionate and able to cope with the stresses of a hectic world.
