Baby your Baby with an Infant Massage
Touch, the earliest of the five senses to develop, occurs through the more than four million touch receptors in the
skin that send information to the Brain. Touching is the first communication a baby receives...that's why babies tend
to respond quickly to being held and cuddled at birth and in their first year of life.
Massage in America
American mothers are quickly discovering what Indian and Swedish moms have known for generations....the soothing
benefits and pleasure of massage for babies. They are discovering that infant massage is a nurturing and joyful way
to bond with their newborns. Infant Massage is easy and fun to do and it has a wide range of positive effects - from
stimulating the baby's immune system to improving circulation,stimulating the digestive system, enchanting
neurological development and toning of muscles
Touch Research Institutive:
Since 1982, Dr.Tiffany Field at the Touch Research Institute at the University Miami has been conducting research
into the benefits of touch on the physical and emotional development of children. The Institute is the world's only
scientific center devoted to exploring the effects of touch on health. Numerous studies on premature infants have
shown that when massaged for 15 minutes three times a day, these babies gained 47%more weight than the
average, were more alert and active, stayed 6 fewer days in the hospital and continued into their first year with
higher scores on Testing. Many of the benefits of Infant Massage used with these preemies also translate to the
healthy baby population.
Components of Infant Massage:
The components of Infant Massage incorporate Swedish Massage, East Indian techniques and Reflexology. These
strokes will help relieve the discomfort of colic and gas while helping to strengthen and regulate the respiratory,
circulatory and GI functions. Massage helps relax and relieve the stress from the tension of daily stimulation. The
massage technique also provides for emotional nourishment and helps tone muscles for future walking and crawling,
speeds up metabolism and helps to develop baby's brains.
Additional Benefits of Infant Massage:
Additional benefits for the baby include: sounder and longer sleep patterns
increased resistance to illness
reduced discomfort from teething and
the release of accumulated tension and effects of trauma .
In general, the daily rubbing of the abdomen works out gas and helps regulate digestion. the Chest massage helps
relieve congestion and the gentle massage to the face strengthens the infants ability to suck.
Impact on Parent:
The focus of Infant Massage is not solely on the baby but on the reciprocal interaction between the infant and the
parent. Growing evidence shows that a gentle warm massage also helps the parent become more sensitive,
responsive and attached to their newborn. When the parent massages the baby, a magical chemistry of intangible
force of deepening emotional attachment occurs. Parents also learn to interpret the verbal and non-verbal
communication cues of their infant as they observe and 'feel' their baby's body language - the subtle sign of distress
and relaxation. An unspoken dialogue of trust will develop from a daily massage as it's a great way to teach the baby
that they are safe and they are loved.
Parents also discover their own stress levels are reduced when they massage their baby. Parents become more
confident in their parenting skills as they learn more massage techniques. Infant Massage allows the parent to
create quality time with their baby and it's also an excellent way for fathers to not only connect with their infant but to
also connect with the nurturing side of themselves.
Learning the Techniques:
The specific massage techniques can be learned from a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, but it is the parent
who massages the baby unless existing medical conditions necessitate medical personnel perform the massage.
Remember, Massage is not something a parent does to their baby but rather what the parent does with their baby.
So, turn down the telephone, take a few deep breaths, add some relaxing background music, warm the Grapeseed
oil and spend the next 15 - 20minutes enjoying the quiet time with just you and your baby.
