A traditional part of baby care in India and China is the baby massage. By carefully massaging a baby from birth until they're two or three years old, it encourages the parent and baby to bond, improves infant development, helps relax the baby and may relieve colic. Parents can massage a baby at home with simple baby oil and some towels.
Parent and Baby Bonding
One of the primary benefits of a baby massage is it allows the parent and infant to communicate and interact on multiple levels. By massaging the infant, the parent is interacting with her child not only by touch, but by sight and sound as well.
Touching the baby lets the child know that he is loved and cared for. The massage also feels good when done properly, so the baby thinks of the parent not only as a feeder, but a person who makes him feel happy and relaxed.
As the parent massages the baby, she will be watching and listening to the baby to make sure the infant is enjoying it. Many infants will coo or giggle when they enjoy the massage, or whine and grunt when they don't. By watching how the baby reacts with smiles, grimaces and attempts to push away the hand, the parent will learn the infant's non-verbal cues and can use them in other situations.
Baby Massages and Infant Development
Massages are beneficial in adults because they encourage blood flow and relieves stress. These benefits affect babies in the same way. But when giving a massage, the parent must be careful not to treat the baby like an adult.
A properly done massage increases the blood flow, which helps infant development by encouraging muscle growth and organ development. The more blood muscles and organs get, the healthier they become. That's why massages are used for rehabilitation after injuries and illnesses. Infants are in the same situation – they are developing their bodies and the more blood flow they have, the healthier they will become.
Relaxation is important for both parents and babies. A massage relieves muscle tension that can occur due to the rapid growth of infants. This in turn allows them to feel comfortable and more relaxed. Touching the skin will in turn release the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones allow people to relax and feel better. So massaging not only relaxes the child, but the parent as well. A relaxed baby will have fewer health problems and be less fussy.
Massage the Baby and Relieve Colic, Constipation and Gas
Baby massage has been found to relieve colic, constipation and gas in most babies. However no one is certain why it help relieve colic. It might be due to the relaxed feeling the massage produces. The pressure on certain organs may also bring colic relief. Whatever the reason, a gentle body massage will usually ease the pain if it does not stop it entirely.
For constipation and gas, a massage has more obvious benefits. Massaging a baby's stomach helps push out any built up gas, reducing pressure before it can build up too much. A massage helps reduce constipation by stimulating the development of the infant's digestive tract. The increased blood flow will also help the baby digest food more efficiently.
Parents and babies can both benefit from a good massage, it encourage parent and baby bonding, infant development, relaxation and relieves common baby problems such as colic and gas. Asking the baby's doctor for advice and help before massaging the baby is best to ensure it is done properly.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Find out how swaddling a newborn baby after a gentle massage can help with sleeping.
Sources:
BabyWorld.com.Baby Massage (accessed February 5, 2011).
McNeeley, Cindy. Baby Massage: An illustrated Guide, Today's Parent (accessed February 5, 2011).
Infant Massage Australia. Physical Benefits of Infant Message (accessed February 5, 2011).
Daniel Clarke - Dan Clarke is a freelance writer and English teacher living happily with his wife and daughter in Nanjing, China. He moved to China 4 ...
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