Benefits of baby massage

What about baby massage?

Massaging babies is not new. In fact, for thousands of years, many cultures have incorporated massage as part of their childcare, and, more recently, research shows it has many benefits for both child and parent.

As a parent or caregiver, massage enables you to learn about and respond to your baby's body language. It is also a wonderful way to make your baby feel safe, respected and secure by showing that he or she is loved and cared for.

There is no one way to massage your baby – touch is universal - although, a professional can teach you the correct and safe way to massage your child, including specific techniques to address specific concerns. Safety is paramount, but it is also fun. Massage should be viewed as something you do with, rather than to your baby.

Many parents have hectic lifestyles, juggling a host of responsibilities and activities, and we are seeing an increasing number of new mums returning to work earlier due to financial commitments and pressures from employers.

As a result, with all of these responsibilities being juggled, something has to give, and sometimes it is true quality time with your child. Baby or infant massage is something that can be easily incorporated into a daily routine with your child, for example, after bath time or before bedtime, and can enhance the quality of time spent together.

Phyllis K Davies, in her book The Power of Touch, states that 'Touch is not a pleasant stimulus, but a biological necessity', and this is confirmed by child psychologists. As human beings, touch is important. Bernard Brazelton, child psychologist, states that touch is central to the development of the bonding relationship between mother and infant.

Infant massage is a form of positive touch and therefore, an extremely important form of communication between parent and baby and helps with the attachment and bonding process.

What are the benefits of baby massage for your child?

A few minutes of massage can facilitate a more confident relationship between parent and child.

Some may ask “Do babies really need a massage? They are stress-free, supple, young and don’t have the pressures that come with adult life”. Some babies, however, are fussy and may experience symptoms such as sleeplessness, restlessness and colic. Massage can be an effective and reassuring way to address these issues.

It is safe and highly recommended to massage your baby from day one. Many women are taught basic massage techniques in the maternity ward. However, a professional trainer can offer techniques and skills to address specific problems for your baby.

Massage also offers the following benefits:-

• Improves bonding between a parent and child. A loving and gentle touch is so important in fostering a feeling of security, being respected and loved for your baby
• Reduces symptoms of colic, wind or constipation
• Improves muscle tone and development
• Improves condition of skin
• Develops body, mind awareness and coordination
• Regulates and strengthens baby's digestive and respiratory systems and stimulate circulatory and nervous systems
• Promotes relaxation
• Can reduce 'fussiness' and improve quality of sleep
• Improves body confidence and self esteem

Developing a strong, positive attachment to another human being (usually the mother) in a child’s first few months can assists the child in developing a stronger sense of self and confidence in later life. In this way, baby massage can have a profound positive effect on a child’s emotional and physical well being. Learning to relate one on one to another human being is part of this process.

Specific massage techniques can also be used to ease the pain of teething and unblock a blocked nose.

What are the benefits of baby massage for the parent?

Massage is a natural and fun way to help a parent become more confident in dealing with their baby and in reading and understanding their non-verbal communication, both positive and negative. In our baby massage workshops, we teach parents to learn to read the signs when a baby wants or does not want a massage. In so doing, the baby comes to learn and feel confident to say no to being touched, and this is a powerful skill as your child grows.

Some evidence also exists that massage of your baby promotes lactation in breastfeeding mums (through the stimulation of hormones) and promotes a stronger nurturing instinct through the stimulation of hormone oxytocin.

An interesting piece of research in the UK has also found that massage can alleviate the effects of postnatal depression and help mother have a more positive interaction with their baby.

The beauty of a baby or infant massage is that it can be easily learnt by both parents and other caregivers including grandparents and siblings. Involving older siblings early in a massage routine (for example, massaging teddy or gently massaging hands and feet) can help alleviate or minimise feelings of resentment or rejection that may arise with the arrival of a newborn.

Resources

This article was written using information from the following resources:-

www.miami.edu/touch-research 

www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk

Baby massage: a guide for parents produced by the International Association of Infant Massage and Johnson's baby

The Guild of Infant & Child Massage website, www.gicm.org.uk, 2005

The Benefits of infant massage, an article by Anita Epple, qualified infant massage teacher and Touch-Learn director, for more information visit www.touchlearn.co.uk

Phyllis K Davies, The Power of Touch