THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGING YOUR INFANT

by

Emma Miller, D.Div.

Babies need loving touch to thrive.  Parents massage their infants in many cultures, and have done so for centuries.  Individuals specially trained in child and family development and touch techniques for children can facilitate the process.  Once parents learn about the benefits of tactile contact and stimulation through caressing, massaging, holding, carrying, and rocking, they are more likely to integrate nurturing touch into everyday care activities. 

All babies can potentially benefit from massage.  Physically, internal organs can be regulated, stimulated and strengthened.  The functioning of all body systems can be improved.  Respiration becomes fuller and deeper.  There is faster weight gain as appetite and feeding is improved.  Circulation is enhanced.  Gas, constipation, and colic can be relieved.  Immunity is promoted.  There is better mind-body communication and intellectual and language development may be enhanced.

Babies experience stress.  Massage enables them to release tension.  Deep relaxation is produced and the baby’s ability to self-consol is facilitated.  Soothing techniques aid in the child’s self-regulation.  The baby's disposition tends to improve when awake.  Sleep is promoted and sleep patterns are ameliorated.  

Babies who experience a change in caregivers or environment cling to the security of a regular, familiar activity.  Pleasurable touch diminishes discomforts and communicates support, perhaps facilitating recovery of sick infants.  "Kangaroo care", skin-to-skin contact, and touch along a continuum show beneficial results with cesarean-delivered infants and for babies born premature.  Also, some infants may be traumatized or sensitive.  They can release fear and pain through the loving touch of a caring adult. 

Massage augments other therapeutic interventions and can enjoyably prepare the child with special needs for them.  Handling and positioning principles can be applied.  There are specific techniques that address conditions of high and low tone.  Body awareness is enhanced.  Modifications assist infants who may be overly sensitive or under responsive to touch.

Parents also benefit from infant massage.  Massage provides a concrete way for parents to learn about their baby, gain self-confidence and become more proficient in their nurturing abilities.  Sensitivity is developed as to how the baby is feeling, and to what pleases and what is uncomfortable.  Awareness is gained regarding changes in growth, development, and health status.  Developmental guidance as part of an experiential class helps parents become more excited about their baby and derive increasing pleasure from parenting.  As communication is enhanced, the bonding and attachment process is promoted and the parent-baby relationship is strengthened.  The interaction during the massage is positive, enjoyable and fun. 

Parents learn relaxation techniques.  They utilize them prior to the massage and incorporate them into their day.  Therefore, they and their baby experience less stress.  Parents also sleep better because their baby's sleep is improved.

"Special time" alone with the baby is especially appreciated by adoptive parents, parents with older children, or parents who become separated from their child.  Many parents report feeling empowered as massage is something they can do in times of stress, change, or ongoing therapeutic intervention.

Breastfeeding mothers are more successful as the secretion of prolactin, essential for milk production, is enhanced.  Weaning tends to go smoother if the child has the closeness that massage produces.  Through this nurturing interaction, fathers discern that they have a way to enjoy the same emotional fulfillment as mothers, and offer physical and emotional support.

Infant massage can involve the entire family.  Siblings can both relate to the baby through their gentle touch and receive the massage with modifications.  Extended family members and caregivers can offer the massage if they have a relationship with the child.  Soothing variations can be done virtually anywhere.

From birth on, parents can offer gentle touch in response to the baby's capacity and willingness to accept it.  Massage proceeds from simple sustained hand placement to specific strokes for each body part.  There are special strokes to relieve common discomforts, gentle movements, and ways to tailor caregiving in concert with the baby’s bio-rhythms.  Massage is done WITH, and not to, the child for a wonderful exchange of love.

Love involves respect, security, care, healing, and nurturing human potential.  Massage with a baby promotes love between parent and child, and within families.

SIDEBAR

A hallmark of the massage is that it proceeds on each body part ONLY after the baby's permission has been obtained through body language or verbal cues.  The baby learns self-respect as boundaries and wishes are honored.  Through massage, the difference between touch that is loving and touch that is not is reinforced.  A foundation for healthy emotional development is laid when the infant becomes interested in people and the world.  The baby feels good when expressing preferences and wishes and finding these respected and encouraged.  Through the reciprocal interactions inherent in the massage, the baby learns trust and intimacy.  Feeling utterly lovable results in a loving, not spoiled, child with a strong sense of self.

©1993-2008, Gentle Touch Parent-Child Program, LLC