Infant Massage – Share the Wonderful Experience!
Posted on May 5, 2008
Filed Under Infant Massage |
Baby’s First Massage provides high-quality programs and support materials for people who want to teach newborn massage to new families. The approach to massage with the newborn baby is based on sensitivity to the baby’s responses and readiness of the baby, along with basic physiologic readiness. That would include being able to take feedings, weighing at least 3 pounds, and being at least around 31 weeks or more in gestational age.
Infant massage is a wonderful experience shared between you and your baby. It provides numerous physical, psychological and emotional benefits for babies and the families who care for them. There are several websites present on the Internet that can certainly help you as you begin to incorporate this loving and ancient art into your family’s life.
Try to pick a time when you will not be disturbed and when you both can relax. For your baby, it should not be too soon after a feed or so close to a meal that the baby would be hungry and distracted. Equally, don’t pick a time when your baby is really tired and just wants a bit of peace, although don’t be surprised if they nod off during the massage. After your baby’s bath time might be a good idea, provided they are not too sleepy. Also make sure that you pick a time when you can put aside thoughts and worries about chores or work. Remember that your baby relies on non-verbal communication and will pick up on your mood if you are tense. Relax, so that you are only transmitting good vibes to your child. Try to set aside around half-an-hour at a time for a baby massage.
For some time parents have been looking into starting their baby’s lives off in as many positive ways as possible. One way is learning massage because it can benefit the health and growth newborn babies. Babies require a little more than a clean, safe environment and proper nutrition to survive and thrive. Parental interaction and touching are as necessary for their health as food and shelter is for their survival. Some hospital nurseries have volunteers that come in to cuddle and caress premature babies, which help them gain weight and promote the healthy development of their nervous systems.
A ten minute massage, two or three times a week helps make a more confident mother-infant relationship, babies love it and it can help alleviate baby ailments too. You will probably ask yourself, do babies actually need massage? Surely they are flexible, relaxed and do not seem to face the stresses that make us knotted and tense. Begin making smooth strokes from the shoulder down to the hands, letting your baby grasp your fingers as they slide off. Next hold the arm between the thumb and index finger and gently glide down the arm, using caution at the armpit and elbow, as these are sensitive areas.
Most mothers impulsively lovingly massage their babies. Perhaps it was by understanding this and observing the result upon the infant that the idea of infant massage was born. Actually infant massage has been in practice for many years. But recently its popularity has taken off worldwide. It should really come as no surprise since both babies and parents enjoy the benefits. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of infant massage below:
Infant Massage Facilitates Bonding
Touch between mother and baby is extremely important during the early months in order to develop the bond that will help the baby thrive and grow into a happy well adjusted child. The mother and father are able to provide gentle nurturing touches that the baby associates with love and being cared for. Infant massage helps the baby and parents get to know one another and spend quiet quality time together, communicating through touch.
Infant Massage Relaxes the Infant
a newborn baby’s life is pretty stressful when you think about it. He gets hungry and cold and the only way he can let anyone know he needs attention is to yell for it. Infant massage can help relax a stressed out baby that has just had too much activity or is suffering from stomach upsets. When infant massage is part of the baby’s normal routine, there is a good chance he will grow into a child who knows what relaxation is and how to achieve it to escape the stresses of life.
Infant Massage Improves Baby’s Sleep
it follows that a baby lulled into relaxation by an infant massage will quickly succumb to slumber. The upside is that infant massage may help to promote sounder and longer sleep periods. Parents will also benefit from a soundly sleeping baby that will give them much needed rest also.
Infant Massage Supports Communication
Infant massage opens up a new channel for communication between baby and parents. Parents will learn to pick up on nonverbal cues from the baby. The infant will grow to feel as if he is being heard and attended to without having to clamor for it.
Infant Massage Relieves Discomfort
Studies indicate that infant massage releases endorphins and oxytocin into the baby’s body. These elements may act to relive the common discomforts a baby struggles with such as teething, stress, congestion, and colic. Watch any mother trying to comfort an unhappy baby as massage, rubbing, and patting just come naturally. The movements help to settle the child, relax him, and alleviate his discomfort.
Infant Massage is Fun
what better reason could there be for infant massage other than the simple fact that the baby and parents think it is fun? It is a great way to get some giggles and coos from the baby and has an enjoyable time together.
So given the above benefits, it is no wonder that infant massage is so popular. Of course mothers have been massaging their babies since the beginning of time, but when we speak of the formal infant massage you should know there is actually a method to follow. Certain types of movements act to calm and relax the baby before bedtime and other types of movements will energize him. Still other types of massage movements act to relieve discomfort. So if you would like to learn formal massage for your baby and experience the benefits above, ask around and see if you can find a local infant massage class that you and your baby can attend together.
Comments
Leave a Reply
RSS FEED