The Benefits of Baby Massage

We all have heard about the benefits of massage for our body's, our general health and wellbeing, but what about the benefits of massage for babies and children? LMT's (Licensed massage therapists) have started to offer infant/baby massage classes and sessions and parents are lining up in droves. But why? Does it really help or is it a fad? We will discuss the different ways that massage can help a baby and help the parents.

Lets start off with one of the more obvious. Bonding to the child. When you get home from a long day at work and your muscles are stiff and sore if you're lucky you get a nice shoulder rub from your partner. Don't you just love that person more for caring for you? Your baby will feel the same way. Let's think about this from their perspective. From the moment they are born baby's are trying to move, constantly growing. They can't talk, but they're trying, watching and learning our every move. Trying to learn how to stabilize their muscles, get control of that ever so wobbly head. Its hard work! Those tiny little muscles are going through constant growing pains as its all infants do. A good rub down would warrant some serious thanks I'm sure.

Part of what you learn from attending a baby massage class (or getting a DVD or a book) is how to rub the stomach. The stomach is an important part of the massage. The reason for this is to aide in digestion and relieves any colic. Colic is described by researchers as

"At least three hours a day of irritability, fussing and crying.

Occurring three or more days a week

During the first 3 or 4 months of life,

In an infant who is otherwise healthy and well fed."

The stomach and all the other organs are brand new! They've not had to be used until now, just developing bacterial flora, creating waste and absorbing all the nutrients. Baby's can easily get gassy (as any new parent knows!) and thus become very uncomfortable. When the stomach area is massaged you can help your baby move fluids and food through their system, making it easier and more comfortable. You are also helping them strengthen their system. When working on the stomach you look right into your baby's eye, which is normally accompanied by talking and smiling with your baby. Enforcing that bonding time we talked about. When you massage your baby's stomach you can start to feel if there is decongestion in the lungs, or constipation in the stomach. You can get clues to how your little one is feeling when he or she can't tell you yet. Bottom line is a baby with a smooth moving stomach is a much happier baby!

Touch is one of the ways we show love and affection. New parents stroke their baby's unconsciously, moving, kissing and loving on the child. So its no secret that this would help a child to feel more secure and loved. With all the reasons I've given so far its no far cry that the child would also sleep more soundly and deeply. When a child is comfortable, warm and his or her muscles and body feels good because you've rubbed all the knots out he or she may even fall asleep right there. When I was in class learning how to teach infant massage one of the other students brought in her newborn. I had a chance to work with this little darling. She flirted, and cooed, smiled and just loved every moment. When we were done her mom picked her up and held her. Minutes, literally minutes later she was so asleep that her mother was picking up her arm and dropping it. No reaction, nothing from the child. She was out cold. Stayed that way for the next couple of hours of class! Not to say that's the way its going to be with all children, many other children that were brought into the class had different experiences, however it is possible.

"The easiest and quickest way to induce depression and alienation in an infant or child is not to touch it, hold it, or carry it on your body." - James W. Prescott, PhD Research in neuroscience has shown that touch is necessary for human development and that a lack of touch damages not only individuals, but our whole society. Massage is a way to get that "touch time" into the day. It's a structured way to connect with your baby. To help him or her grow, and learn to interact which requires your baby to use his/her brain. When a baby is touched and loved he or she feels secure to explore, to grow and expand. Emerging science is showing that touch is related to enhanced brain development. Children communicate sooner, and lead happier healthier lives. They are not afraid to cry or express themselves because you will be right there to decipher their needs.

Massage is not only beneficial for the baby; it's also benefits the parents! Remember, a happy baby is a happy home! Massage can be a fun way to interact with your new child. Many parents come home from the hospital or birth center confused. Especially if it's their first child, "What do we do now?" Fathers can be apprehensive or even afraid to touch the new child. Massage can be a structured and fun way to interact and bond with your new addition to the family. Dad's who are feeling helpless can get involved and learn wonderful ways to sooth a child and give mom a rest. Mom's can find new things to do with the child while feeding, while holding your child, while trying to get him or her to sleep. It's really very versatile.

If your baby sleeps well at night you sleep better at night. I think this is the "holy grail" for new parents. A comfortable baby who is feeling gas free, relaxed and loved will sleep better as we discussed, which means YOU get to sleep better.

There are also the special cases of babies that come into the world with issues. Preemies for example, research is showing that skin to skin contact and touch in general is helping premature baby's go home sooner and put on weight faster. It gives parents a tool so they can feel like they are helping. And parents, you ARE helping. Your child needs you. Children with cerebral palsy who are spastic need massage for those tight muscles.

There is so much to be said for massage that this article just barely scratches the surface. I hope that I have gotten you excited, share the joy and share the touch.