Some of the benefits of baby massage include better sleep for the baby, reduced stress and cranky behavior, relief from flatulence, improved motor development and relief from congestion.
New moms have unending doubts and ideas running through their minds.
These include managing the pain and stress experienced by an infant during the initial stages of life.
Baby massage has been considered as one of the most effective techniques for improving infant health.
It not only relieves stress and various pains, it also supports proper development of body organs and the limbs.
Psycho-social benefits of baby massage Touch is the primary communication received by a newborn.
Infant massage has been a longstanding tradition.
Being caressed and touched through massage also acts as psychological food for your infant.
It is the best form of touch therapy for infants.
It is a communicative approach and helps parents relax the baby as well as connect in a positive way.
The key benefits of baby massage can be listed as:
• Development of attachment and bonding with the parent
• Better self-esteem
• Development of positive connection between body, mind and spirit
• Better sense of love, respect, trust and acceptance
• Better communication However, it is not only the baby who benefits from the massage.
Infant massage also provides benefits to the parents in following ways:
• Better parenting skills
• Improved ability to read cues offered by the infant
• Improved bonding between the parent and the baby
• More confident parenting
• Improved communication – verbal as well as non-verbal
• Provides quality time with the child
• Physical Benefits of Baby Massage Massage is one of the best ways to improve the health of your infant.
Just as adults benefit from a massage, there are numerous benefits associated with infant massage for better physical development.
Some important ones have been listed below:
• Better sleep: Infant massage helps in increasing serotonin levels in the body.
This neurotransmitter is known to regulate mood.
High levels of serotonin provide a feeling of well-being.
As a result, it ensures better sleep that is deeper and more restful.
• Reduces stress and cranky behavior: It is common for babies to cry for various reasons.
General reasons causing your baby to cry or act cranky include discomfort, pain in legs or abdomen, tiredness or improper sleep.
Regular massage can relieve your infant from pains and discomforts, thus providing better sleep.
This further reduces the crying and cranky behavior of the infant.
• Relief from flatulence: Many infants experience chronic abdominal pain due to intestinal gas.
Belly massage increases the pace of waste removal from body.
This way, trapped wind is also easily released by the body.
• Relieves digestion problems: Massage speeds up the natural progression of food along the digestive tract.
This way, the massage has proven to be helpful is eliminating problems like constipation and acid reflux.
• Strengthens the immune system: Just like massage benefits various physiological processes in the body, it also benefits the immune system.
Regular massage gives a newborn baby’s immune system a boost, thereby keeping common ailments at bay.
• Improves weight: Some babies are underweight at the time of birth.
Massage provides significant improvement in the weight gain process, thus providing healthy weight to underweight infants.
• Improves motor development: Baby massage stimulates the nervous system.
This makes the infants more aware about their body’s functions during the massage process.
This way, infant massage improves flexibility, co-ordination and muscle control.
• Relieves congestion: In addition to benefits like speeding up of nervous system and providing relief from digestion problems, baby massage also provides relief from congestion.
Massage aids improved drainage of sinuses, thus preventing fluid accumulation in the sinuses and airways.
Baby massage tips Generally, people appoint masseur or professional caretakers for infant massage.
It is, however, recommended your massage your baby yourself.
This would provide better bonding and an affectionate relationship between you.
You can take guidance from elders in the family or your doctor for proper massage techniques.
