Benefits of Baby Massage

I don't know about you all, but I love a good massage. Massage offers great benefits for adults, so why wouldn't it offer the same benefits for babies? It does. I interviewed my good friend and certified infant massage instructor, Ashley, to get some great info on infant massage. I hope you find it useful and consider learning some techniques to help benefit you and your baby.

What are the benefits of infant massage?

There are several benefits of infant massage. 

Infant massage may promote and develop positive interaction between parent and child by helping each other learn and understand cues, both verbal and non-verbal. This two way communication can support reciprocal respect, secure and healthy attachments and language development. 

It may also relieve physical discomfort for a baby with severe gas, colic and reflux. Massage helps tone the digestive tract, as well as stimulates the release of food absorption hormones such as insulin. Massage also releases endorphins that are the body's natural pain killers and may ease emotional distress. Many specific strokes help with constipation, muscle tension, growing pains, teething, sinus congestion or excess mucus. 

Massage helps balance our automatic nervous system. Touch releases hormones to help our body create this balance. Massage helps relieve the built-up tension in an infant's body from all the stimulation and sensory integration that takes place in a baby's environment. Infant massage may promote or encourage the following: 

faster weight gain

improve sleep patterns

improve cardiac and respiratory output

release of hormones for food absorption and digestion

skin stimulation

improvement of muscle tone

enhanced neurological development

improvement of sensory awareness 

provide a special communication/development of non-verbal communication

promotes self-esteem and respect

Are there any benefits for the mother?

There are many benefits, not just for the mother but for father and siblings too. Infant massage may promote or encourage the following for them:

 Parents feel more confident in their ability to read baby's cues--empowers parents. 

  The parent's ability to soothe and meet baby's needs. 

  Increase the parent's confidence to follow their intuitive sense. 

 The release of hormones from mother to nurture the baby

 Enhance communication and respect 

 Can be a time for parent and child to communicate in a relaxed and playful manner

 Special time between father and child

 Assist older siblings to welcome a new baby to the family through their participation in giving a portion of the massage with appropriate touch/pressure;  learning to understand the baby's needs and by their receiving an age appropriate massage to decrease incidence of possible jealousy.

 There are even benefits for society.

When children are shown love and feel they are loved and respected, they grow to be loving, respectful and secure adults, which in turn can create a healthier more compassionate society. Studies have shown cultures where children receive appropriate tactile input grow to be less violent and live in a more compassionate society. It may help reduce abuse and increase respect.

How often should you massage your baby and at what age should you start?

Massage can start at birth, even babies born early. Positive touch from a parent or primary caregiver can help these babies THRIVE; one needs to be certified and work closely with medical staff and families to develop safest and most beneficial touch routine for the baby. Massage can be done as frequently as baby will tolerate. The baby should be in a quiet alert state (body still, smooth movements, relaxed face, smiling, eyes open and focused) when conducting massage. Massage should conclude when baby is disengaged (crying, arching back, coughing, red skin, turning eyes away, etc.)


How can I find out more?

Go to www.iaim.net to look for classes and instructors in your area! 

Certified instructors can come into your home to teach your family about infant massage or you can find a class in your area.

Thank you, Ashley, for taking your time to provide us with great info on infant massage!