1. Why Infant Massage?
Being brand-new and tiny can be a stressful job. Luckily, infant massage brings about relaxation and feelings of well-being for both baby and parent. Research conducted at the Touch Research Institutes at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Miami, Florida, shows that infant massage goes beyond just good feelings: Infant massage has been shown to calm babies, adjust infants' rest/activity cycle, and improve babies' cognitive performance. "Special needs babies that receive infant massage may experience improved blood and lymphatic circulation, [and massage] may increase the quality of vocalization," said Andrea Kelly, CEO of communications and marketing for the International Association of Infant Massage. "[Massage may] aid in sensory integration, [and] may enhance gastrointestinal function and baby's awareness of his or her body parts through visual and tactile input." According to Kelly, infant massage helps moms ward off postpartum blues by releasing feel-good hormones like prolactin and oxytocin. Dads benefit as infant massage lowers testosterone and increases prolactin release, while providing a means for them to nurture baby.
"Infant massage stimulates all of the systems of the baby's body," said infant-massage instructor Linda Storm, executive director of Infant Massage USA. "Hormones released during massage help babies relax. The massage promotes bonding and attachment between the parent and baby, and provides relief from pain, gas, colic and constipation."
2. Training in the Technique
Parents can learn how to perform infant massage, which includes specialized strokes and a particular depth of pressure, by visiting the websites of the International Association of Infant Massage and Infant Massage USA. Both organizations certify infant-massage instructors, who in turn show parents how to best massage their babies. You can also search online for the term "infant massage" along with your city's name, and there's a good chance that a local hospital or massage practitioner is offering a class in infant massage. Another option is to learn the technique by reading the seminal text on the topic, "Infant Massage, a Handbook for Loving Parents" by Vimala McClure, Storm said.
3. Special Babies, Special Massage
Premature babies, in particular, benefit from infant massage and the practice has been shown to increase preemies' weight and improve bone mineralization, Kelly said. "Modified stokes are practiced for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for babies born early and often may empower and encourage parents to participate in the care of their baby that was born prematurely," she said. "Nurturing touch may make the difference to thrive and survive." Whether your baby was premature or full-term, infant massage can create joy in your infant's home. "The first language of love is nurturing touch, and the second is compassionate dialogue," Kelly said. "Give your family the gift of love and practice nurturing touch and compassionate communication throughout the span of a lifetime."
