Baby Massage Benefits

What I love about baby massage is its not a fad it's been around for centuries passed down through each family generation. In the ancient times it was used to treat illness. An under thriving baby was given lots of massage along with breastfeeding to achieve a thriving baby. Today places like India, Africa, Asia, New Zealand and the Caribbean still use daily massage as part of their baby care routine.

In the early 1970's Vimila McClure, the founder of the IAIM, brought the art of massage to the western world starting in America. This was after she had worked in an orphanage in India where she witnessed all the children receiving a daily massage, even though they were not receiving proper nutrition the children were thriving. At the end of her stay in India, Vimila contracted malaria. All the women in the village came to look after her, they massaged her entire body and sang to her until her fever broke. This feeling never left Vimila, the feeling of their hands and their hearts touching her. Although baby massage has existed for centuries in many counties around the world, Vimila was the first person to put together a professional programme. It's theory, curriculum and focus are unique, and have been carefully developed and refined through research and practical experiences since its introduction in 1976.

BABY MASSAGE BENEFITS.

Baby massage benefits are endless for baby and the caregiver. Touch is our first sense to develop in the womb at about eight weeks gestation. Babies are totally dependant on their caregivers for touch. Touch is the only sense without which we cannot survive. Dr Ashley Montagu wrote "Human beings cannot survive without touch it is a basic behavioural need". Vimala McClure IAIM Founder states "With healthy touch, the human infant not only survives but thrives."

During baby massage, parents rhythmically stroke their baby, forging the bonds of trust and security that are so important to their future development.

TOUCH

Mothers get to know their baby better and understand their verbal and non-verbal communication.
With close physical contact, mothers provide the exact temperature that a newborn baby needs, which communicates trust and safety.
Skin to skin contact causes the release of hormones that create caring, loving and empathetic behaviour.
Nurturing touch also causes the release of hormones in the mother which helps her milk supply and stimulates breastfeeding.
Massaging helps parents to relax and respond appropriately.
Communication through touch is a language that a baby can immediately understand.

EYE CONTACT

Eye contact is a powerful means of communication.
Is an interaction that provides a great deal of positive feedback.
Helps parents provide a powerful cue to the infants physiological and emotional system.
Helps parents have access to baby's moods and state.

ODOUR

Odour is a very important part of the bonding process for mother and baby, baby has been learning their mother's scent in the womb. A newborn baby can distinguish the smell of their mother and that of another mother. Mothers can recognise their baby from smell alone. In baby massage we only use unscented oils to allow the natural odour to be experienced during massage.

The mother and baby come in close contact with one another during massage and can therefore smell the reassuring unique odour (set of pheromones) of each other.
Our body is biologically programmed to activate odours especially in a relationship where there is warmth and health involved.

SOUND OF VOICE

Studies have shown that babies recognise and prefer their mothers voice to that of someone else. The sense of hearing is enhanced by baby massage.

Parents doing the massage asks for permission.
Parents sing and talk to baby during massage.
Baby recognise the parent's voice during massage.
Baby hears their mother's high pitched tone, which has a calming and relaxing effect on the baby, which communicates trust and security.
When baby coos, gurgles and makes happy baby sounds, parents feel reassured that they are doing something good for baby.

CRYING

Crying is one of the ways in which baby communicates and is part of the dialogue between them and their caregiver. Mothers have an instinctive response to their baby's cry. In baby massage sessions parents are encouraged to:

Truly listen to what their baby is trying to communicate.
Answer their baby's needs first.
Only do massage on quiet alert state.
Massage is not given to a crying baby.

SMILING

Smiles are contagious! Smiling triggers loving emotions associated with hormonal release. It is such a reward when the baby's first smile appears.

Parents are face to face with their baby during massage and witness many smiles from their baby.
Parents smile at their baby and smiles are often returned, as the baby imitates the smile.
The phenomenon of mothers and baby smiling at each other creates a powerful feeling of love and belonging, communication, satisfaction and happiness.

BREASTFEEDING

Massage can help breastfeeding mothers milk supply. Oxytocin and prolactin are increased during massage (this can help with flow and volume). Having an extra activity for skin to skin will induce all the lovely breastfeeding hormones.

BREASTFEEDING CONFIDENCE

Touch, eye contact, voice and odour all work together in the elements of bonding. These elements build trust and create a unique communication between mother and baby. Frequent massages helps mother and baby get used to touch making holding baby more comfortable and create more confidence in breastfeeding positions and as a whole of their baby's needs.

NEW PARENT CONFIDENCE

The amazing benefit of massage is the confidence it can give you as a new parent. The elements of bonding and building your unique communication are the same as above, helping you adapt to holding your bundle of joy more quickly. Being able to respond to your wee ones needs quicker can give you the confidence you are needing.

WEIGHT GAIN

Massage increases the vagus nerve activity, which aids digestion of breastmilk and formula, promoting weight gain in all babies.

REDUCED CRYING

Parents who regularly massage their baby are able to respond quicker to their feeding cues and needs. (learning their unique dialogue).

IMPROVED SLEEP

Massage enhances serotonin release, aiding in improved sleep patterns and promoting deep sleep cycles. Massage assists in regulating the release of melatonin helping to balance the circadian rhythms (body clock). Improved sleep for baby leads to a well rested mother producing better breast milk supply, having more energy to enjoy your wee one. A more settled baby will be more likely to attach and feed well at the breast or bottle.

WIND, COLIC, REFLUX AND CONSTIPATION

Baby massage techniques can relieve some of the issues making feeding more comfortable for baby. (Colic Routine).

ANXIETY AND STRESS

Massage will activate oxytocin releasing opiods and endorphins in the brain, which gives your baby a feeling of calm. The nerve endings relax and your baby is able to unwind. When baby is in this calm state, the opiods, endorphins and oxytocin are all in domanice with one another. This will feel delicious and satisfying for parent and baby.

Massage reduces cortisol levels in parents and babies, stress hormones have a negative effect on the mother's breastmilk supply. Mothers who are anxious and stressed will release stress hormones onto the baby making feeding more difficult for breastfed and bottle fed babies. A relaxed feeding session is more likely to be a successful one, for parent and baby.

"BEING TOUCHED AND CARESSED, BEING MASSAGED IS FOOD FOR THE INFANT, FOOD AS NECESSARY AS MINERALS, VITAMINS AND PROTIENS."

BY FEDERICK LEBOYER

BENEFITS FOR BABY

Helping baby feel securely attached.
Helping your baby feel more loved, valued and respected.
Reduced crying and emotional distress.
Increased levels of relaxation and longer sleep.
Development of body awareness and coordination.
Relief from wind, colic, constipation and teething discomfort.

BENEFITS FOR YOU

Feeling closer to your baby.
Gaining a deeper understanding of your baby's behaviour, crying and body language.
Providing an enjoyable opportunity to spend one to one time with your baby.
Feeling the relaxation effects of giving your baby a massage.
Increased confidence in your ability to care for and nurture your baby.
Learning a life long parenting skill that has been used for centuries and has been scientifically proven to enhance the parent and baby bond.