Not only will your baby feel relaxed so will you! Nurturing touch is a naturally rewarding way to relieve stress for both you and your baby. It has been proven that touch decreases the levels of Cortisol (stress hormone) in our bodies. Cortisol is always present in our bloodstream, but high levels of this hormone can be found in our bodies during times of extreme stress.
Deepens Bonding:
Infant Massage provides you with essential one-on-one time that will enhance your family bonding, understanding and ability to nurture. During massage Oxytocin is released in both the giver and receiver's body. Also known as the hormone of love, Oxytocin is our feel good hormone. This hormone helps to provide us with loving, nurturing feelings which helps us to bond. Mothers experience and increased production of Oxytocin during labor and breastfeeding but now research shows that even close physical contact and touch stimulates Oxytocin production. Great news for all of the dads out there who didn't give birth to their baby, you can still produce the same hormones through the use of loving touch.
Improves Communication:
Touch is our first form of communication. So you can assume that communicating through touch enhances your natural ability to understand your baby's special needs and respond with appropriate care. Infant Massage increases your confidence and sensitivity to your baby's unique cues and forms of communication. Picking up your baby when they cry is not going to spoil them. When babies receive attentive responses to their needs they grow to become healthier and more secure in adulthood.
Contributes to Development:
Growth and healthy development of your baby's body, mind and spirit are stimulated. Massaged babies gain healthy weight better than babies who do not receive massage. Additionally, nurturing touch helps to enhance the digestion process. The systems of the body are stimulated during massage which assists in the absorption of nutrients and elimination of what is not needed. For some babies infant massage has also been shown to be effective at reducing the symptoms associated with Colic.
Helps Baby to Sleep Better:
Not only does massage help your baby to release stress which builds daily from new experiences, it allows them to relax. During this special time both you and your baby have time to relax. Massaging your baby helps your little one to sleep deeper and for longer periods of time which can translate into you being able to sleep longer as well!
Through massage you will not only increase your loving, nurturing bonds with your baby, you will assist in their healthy and happy development!
Copyright (c) 2007 Liddle Kidz? Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage
Baby Massage for Colic, wind, teething, colds and congestion You may find that during the first months of your baby’s life he may suffer from a number of minor uncomfortable complaints. One of the most common complaints is trapped wind. This is largely thought to be caused by babies swallowing air when feeding and having an immature digestive system unable to cope with expelling it. A distressing form of trapped wind is known as colic and is catogorised by prolonged bouts of crying, pain when passing trapped wind, a hard tense stomach and baby bringing his knees up to his chest in discomfort Relief from colic and wind is an important benefit of baby massage. Massage helps to tone the digestive tract, expel wind from the body and break down large air bubbles, making them easier for your baby to pass. By massaging your baby’s tummy you are physically able to support your baby’s digestive system. Massage can also help to ease constipation too. This can be of particular use when your baby starts solid food. Baby Massage can also bring relief from the pain of teething through massage around the mouth and gums. It can also help to ease sinus congestion by helping to drain the nasal passages of mucus. The use of oils on your baby’s skin during baby massage can also help to improve the overall condition of his skin which can be particularly useful if your baby suffers from dry skin, eczema or cradle cap.
Creating bonds between you and your baby with baby massage
Bonding with your baby is a complex matter occurring over time through understanding and communication. It does not always happen immediately and there is not set time in which you must bond with a baby or the opportunity to do so lost. Bonding is very important between a parent and baby to ensure the survival of the baby and the emotional state of the parent. Your baby needs you to feel a “bond" towards him so that his needs are met and he is protected and nurtured. Baby Massage encourages bonding by creating the perfect environment for touch, eye contact, exchange of personal odours, and vocalisation with your baby; all important aspects of bonding.
Baby Massage for relaxation for you both.
If you have ever had a massage you will be familiar with the sensation of wellbeing it evokes and the release of tension throughout the body. Your baby will experience these sensations when you massage him. A happy relaxed baby is more likely to feed well, sleep well and have a good temperament. A happy baby also helps to make a happy parent. If your baby is feeling relaxed you will be more likely to feel relaxed which is important in the early days of parenting when it can often feel as if you are on a steep learning curve. Having fun with your, exchanging smiles and laughing together whilst you massage are important in building a relationship of love and trust between you. When you massage the skin, the body produces the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones help to lower the levels of stress hormones in your body and help combat the symptoms of stress. Both you and your baby may fell more relaxed after a session of baby massage
Helping your Baby’s Development through baby massage and skin stimulation
Stimulation of the skin is crucial to the development of all young, not only human infants. Studies have shown that infant animals not exposed to touch tend to be aggressive and can develop antisocial behaviours. Baby massage can help to encourage your baby’s development by providing him with the vital skin stimulation he craves, boosting the circulation to his muscles making him stronger and more physically able. His brain is stimulated with new sensations and experiences. By evoking all of your baby’s senses using massage, you will teach him about social behaviour, language, movement and you can help him to reach his developmental goals. A daily massage can also help to increase your baby’s stimulation levels by stimulating his nervous system producing new connections between the body and the brain. The more developed a baby’s nervous system, the more equipped he will be to cope with stimulation such as bright lights, loud noises, and strange smells.
Get Started
To get started you need to create a quiet and peaceful place for you to massage, use some Blossom & Berry Pure and Organic Baby Massage Oil, and place baby on our unique Blossom & Berry Baby Massage Mat. Use a simple guide to the strokes, relax and have fun. Always make sure baby is well before you begin massage and avoid massage if baby is suffering from any of the following conditions or ailments it would not be advisable to give baby a massage.
Acute infections, Fever, Sickness, Diarrhoea, Undiagnosed lumps and bumps, Contagious Disease, Serious Skin Complaints, Recent Surgery, Open Sores, Inflammation, Clicky Hips, Epilepsy, Heart or Lung problems or Less than 72 hours after immunisation.
You should consult your medical professional before practice if your baby is on medication or has any serious medical condition.
Both Tina Allen, Lmt, Ciit, Cimi & Rob Wood are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Tina Allen, Lmt, Ciit, Cimi has sinced written about articles on various topics from Constipation Causes, Fitness and Family. Looking for tips and techniques to improve your child's health? Find answers to all your questions about infant massage and children’s massage at