This may sound obvious but if massage works for relaxing and calming adults why would it not work for your baby?
Think about any serious athlete, they have a massage before and after every event not only to help them relax but also to help ease any muscle aches they may have.
Think back to your childhood and how you were taken care of if you ever bumped yourself or if you were upset. Instinctively your parent would rub the area that was sore to make it better.
Now many baby massage sites are aimed at promoting baby massage for alleviating the pain and discomfort of colic. However Baby Massage is not just beneficial to colicky babies but also to the contented ones too.
There are numerous of benefits to be had from massaging your baby:
These benefits have been taken with permission from the IMIS web site (Infant Massage Information Service). More information on baby massage can be found at their site: http://www.infantmassage-imis.com.au
Relieves discomfort
Massage releases both oxytocin and endorphins and therefore can assist in relieving discomfort from teething, congestion, colic and emotional stress.
Speeds myelination of the brain and nervous system
Skin stimulation speeds the process of myelination of the brain and nervous system therefore improving brain-body communication and enhancing neural-cell firing.
Relaxation and enhancement of neurological development
Massage provides both stimulation and relaxation for an infant, both being components of optimum learning conditions.
Preventative medicine
It is estimated that stress plays a part in 60-90% of all illnesses. Massage can help infants learn to effectively cope with stress, so it may follow suit that infant massage may play a role in illness prevention.
Sleep
Most infants sleep for longer periods following massage and experience longer periods of deep sleep. Understandably, this is a favourite benefit for many parents and is often the reason they seek an infant massage course.
Stimulates digestion
Massage stimulates a nerve in the brain, known as the vagus nerve. When this nerve is stimulated, peristalsis increases. Peristalsis are wave like, rhythmic contractions of the stomach and intestines that move food material along the digestive tract.
Deepens respiration
Massage stimulates a nerve in the brain, known as the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve's sensory fibres also supply the lungs. A study conducted at the Touch Research Institute in Miami Florida, showed that following one month of 20 minute massages each night, asthmatic children could breathe better
Increases infant's body awareness
This simple practice teaches infants games, words and speech. In addition to this, body awareness can assist newborns who are still adapting to an environment without the boundaries of the womb.
Strengthens the immune system
Massage causes a significant increase is Natural Killer Cell numbers. Natural Killer cells are a group of white blood cells that kill many types of tumour cells. This is thought to have particularly positive implications for children suffering from HIV and cancer.
Can involve the father
A specific activity with Baby that Dad can get involved in can help alleviate feelings that they are being left out. (This can be common when Mum is breast-feeding and looking after the baby all day).
Enables parents to be more receptive to their baby
Interpreting the infant's body language during massage is certainly a part of this, but on a physical level, parents who massage each day are more likely to notice a change in their child's physical condition. For example, they may feel a strange lump that may have gone un-noticed for a period of time with an infant who was not receiving massage.
Helps tone muscles and aids growth
Enhances the bonding process
Increases oxygen and nutrient flow to the cells
Increases circulation
Improves sensory awareness
Helps encourage midline orientation assisting with coordination and balance
Helps parents to feel more confident in their new role
Massage provides quality time with a working parent
Increases the parent's ability to help relax their child in times of stress
Teaches children from birth that they are in charge of their own body and that it is ok for them to say no to people touching them
Teaches infants that touch is a form of expression.
Most of all baby massage is fun!
Find a 10 minute slot each day to spend one to one time with your baby to give them a massage. Not only will it help them but you will feel the benefits too.
F. Davidson is a colic baby survivor. Please visit her website to read more about natural methods which are proven to calm and settle babies at http://www.calmsleepingbaby.com
