Infant Massage Promoting Nurturing Touch - September 20, 2008 -

Infant Massage

When you were pregnant, you imagined blissfully holding your infant all day, getting to know him or her, bonding, feeding, and napping. Not so suddenly, the baby's on the outside, and you find out that there's a lot of stress for you and your baby. You're not getting enough sleep; you worry every minute that you're doing something wrong; you wonder if what you're doing at this tender age will make your child one day sit on the therapist's couch and say, "You know what my mom did when I was a baby?"

You both just need to relax! But how? Truthfully, you both need a massage. We'll leave your massage up to you and your ability to drop not-so-subtle hints to your partner, but your baby's massage, and subsequent relaxation, can be a very relaxing experience: for both of you!

Benefits of Infant Massage

Perhaps the most important benefit of infant massage is its ability to help baby sleep - a top concern for parents of infants. Because infant massage can assist in the reduction of stress for baby, it relaxes babies and encourages more sound sleep - something everyone in the family will benefit from.

Feeding and digestive problems, such as gas and colic, can make a baby and parent miserable. One of the many benefits of infant massage, according to The International Association of Infant Massage, Inc, is the increased production of oxytocin in the breastfeeding mother, allowing more complete feedings. Regardless of how you feed your baby, infant massage also benefits baby and parent by increasing baby's circulation and decreasing gas, constipation, and symptoms of colic.

One of the best benefits for parents and baby is the connection that it provides. Infant massage connects parents with children, both physically and emotionally. Babies thrive on touching and skin-to-skin contact. According to Deborah Olsen, a licensed massage therapist in Hershey, Pennsylvania, infant massage is "not a new concept. It's been around for thousands of years, but unfortunately our culture has gotten away from it. Touching is a very important aspect of early development."

This touching, in fact, improves communication and trust between infant and parent. Spending time touching baby and figuring out what is pleasurable to your baby and what is not, improves communication and trust between the infant and parent. After practicing with different massage techniques, parents learn to read their baby's cues more accurately and therefore, are better able to respond to their baby's needs.

Massaging your baby gives you confidence in your ability to care for your baby; in addition, it can be a time when you actually enjoy your baby, in a different way than feeding and changing diapers allow. As parents become more responsive through massage, babies cry less, and the parent and child become more attached and less stressed, providing a better basis for which the two of you to begin to know each other.

Another plus: Infant massage also stimulates your baby's brain development and improves his sensory awareness. With infant massage, your baby may one day say, "I'm glad my mommy massaged me!"

The process is not complicated; simple techniques can provide a multitude of benefits for parent and baby, foster relaxation, bonding, and stimulate emotional and physical growth.

Katie Franklin is a researcher and writer on parenting, children and child development. She is a regular contributor at Child Development Media Inc She also contributes at Quality Toys and Hobbies

How Therapeutic Pet Massage Can Help Our Pet Dogs
Pet dogs are not human, but hey, that doesn't mean they do not need a massage! Pet dogs relish a massage as much as their masters do! And, if a professional who is trained in pet massage administers such a therapeutic massage, then it can provide immense health benefits to your pet dog. Elderly dogs or pet dogs that do not get their daily dose of e...

The Newest & Hottest Baby Trend - A Baby Spa Party
The birth of a baby is a lifetime change and relationship like no other. The process of it all can be quite daunting also. Becoming a parent is a transforming experience and not only can it leave you exhausted and overwhelmed it can also be lonely. Thank goodness for baby groups!Baby group activities can include journeys to the library, zoo and ...

Home Remedies for a Colicky Baby
You may be a new parent or a parent of five kids, but when your baby is crying nonstop you will worry and take him immediately to the doctor many times simply to find out your baby has colic and there is nothing the doctor can do. Most doctors will simply tell you to wait it out and around three months of age your baby's colic should take care of i...

For Mother and Baby - What Do You Give? A Gift Basket of Course!
The choice for a baby or an infant gift can be a difficult one. One of the best baby or infant gifts that you can give is a gift basket. A gift basket is that one present that comes in many shapes, themes and of course price ranges. A gift basket is lovely gift to for a baby shower.The diversity of gift baskets is never-ending. For a baby or newb...

Why Early Interaction With Your Baby Is Key For Future Devlopment
Whether you're a parent or a scientist, it's obvious that interaction with your baby is important. From an early age, babies have a need for interaction. Whether it's reciting a nursery rhyme or holding them close, this bonding is key for their development.Studies of newborn monkeys who were given a mannequin mother at birth showed that, even when...

Observe Strictly Child Safety Seat Regulations
When traveling with a child in the car, parents must ensure that they follow strictly and comply with child safety seat regulations for the maximum safety of their kid. The state governments of the US require the strict observance of these regulations, knowing that the young children can suffer the most injuries in case of accidents. Traveling with...

Protect Your Baby’s Sensitive, New Skin
Use these natural baby skin care tips to protect your baby's sensitive, new skin.Characteristics of baby skinIt is essential to be very careful with your babys skin care. In the first stages of our life, the skin is very delicate, fragile and thin. Babys skin is different in functions and structure than the skin of an adult. It has high water conte...