For decades now there has been significant research and scientific study on the psychological and physiological health benefits of infant massage. Several academic studies across the United States declare that the time and contact facilitate parent-child connection as well as circulation, digestion, and relaxation for all. It produces a sense of security for the baby. It maintains a sense of calm for the parents. And when something is healthy and helpful to the process of parenting, it's beneficial to any infant care routine.
Infant massage utilizes simple coordinated movements over the abdomen, back, arms, and legs. Each movement facilitates communication and bonding with the baby as they will simultaneously be hearing your voice and feeling your touch.
He or she can begin to understand that you possess a stable place of comfort in their life, in the simplest way. Stability also burgeons forth from the keeping of schedule. To keep certain aspects of your baby's health routine also stabilizes security and growing insurance in one's environment, and as a new parent.
The benefit to the parent is immeasurable. First, it is comforting to new parents to know that they can sooth their newborn. Second, scientific trail and years of documented parental experience has shown that the connection and calm provided through infant massage forges a powerful and lasting bond for the foundation of the parent-child relationship. Last but not least, for women surviving varying degrees of post-partum, this exercise fosters a growth to the mother-child relaxation and bond.
Infant massage and subsequent parent-child connection effects can last a lifetime, without your growing child ever having been aware. The time spent and motion of the massage create balance of hormones and therefore improve immune health for the offset of illnesses.
This also contributes to improved flow of the digestive tract and therefore absorption of nutrients from the food they don't spit up all over themselves. In addition, it improves circulation and chemical functions throughout their little bodies. This form of massage helps to ease physical and psychological growth throughout a child's life.
Just as he or she will carry the nutritious diet and habits you lay as a foundations for how they conduct themselves through out their lives, they will carry their bond with you as well. This is why the confidence that derives from an early comforting and loving connection with one's parents is irreplaceable and indelible to a child's overall well being.
So let’s get started on learning a little bit about infant massage techniques. Daily baby massage is a great way to strengthen your bond with your baby. It also promotes better sleep, relief of colic, and it boosts your baby’s immune system.
When your baby is quiet, yet alert, it is a good time to start your infant massage therapy. Avoid doing your baby massage just after feeding or when your infant is sleepy. Undress your baby down to the diaper, and then place on the blanket. Start with a gentle stroke from head to toe. If your baby cries or stiffens, note the body part and continue on. This will be your clue to avoid that part of the body. Okay, let’s move on to some individual infant massage techniques.
If your little one is laying down facing you, start by placing your warmed hands around the top of baby's leg at the hip cupping her leg, gently stroke downward towards her foot. Do not put any pressure on baby's knee or ankle, then stroke the bottom of her foot and gently hug each little toe. Next kiss her feet, babies love this! Repeat these strokes on the opposite leg. The tummy should not be massaged right after eating. If baby has not recently eaten (within 30 minutes), go ahead and introduce your touch to her belly.
Place your hands at her belly button and move them in a clockwise motion. This movement can help ease the pains associated with gas, constipation and has been known to ease colic. Next, go ahead and move on to her arms. Repeat the same soothing strokes that we used on the legs. While doing massage, continue to make eye contact and check in with her. If you like singing or telling stories, go for it.
Whatever makes you both feel relaxed is perfect! Continue massage only as long as you and baby are enjoying it. If she is still enjoying her massage, continue. If not, feel free to let her be the boss. Babies are really good at letting us know when they've had enough. Now, move on to her back. Stroke her back, starting at the shoulders, over bum and down the legs, showing extra care not to put any pressure on her spineHealth Fitness Articles, continue stroking her back a few times.
Another method:
Start with a blanket or towel underneath your baby. Something soft and cuddly is preferred – Make sure your massage oil is in a plastic container and do a spot test on baby’s skin. Wait 24 hours to see if there is any reaction. If there is no reaction, you are ready to start.
Next, walk your fingers around the navel in a clockwise motion. Hold your baby’s knees and fit together. Then gently bend and press up into the abdomen a few times. Lastly, place your hand on the tummy and move your hand gently from one side to the next.
The next infant massage technique involves the head and face. You need to cradle your baby’s head in both hands massaging the scalp with your fingertips. Avoid the soft spot. Massage behind the ears using your thumbs and index finger. Place your thumbs between your baby’s eyebrows, and then gently stroke. Repeat over your baby’s closed eyelids, then down the bridge of the nose and over the cheeks.
Of course there are many different infant massage techniques, and we can’t possibly cover them all in our article, but we’ll cover some basics. The next baby massage is for the arms.
It’s a very simple one. You’ll hold your baby’s wrist with one hand and relax the upper arm by lightly tapping on it. Massage the palm moving your thumb over the heel of the hand down the fingers; then stroke from the shoulder down to the wrist massaging in both directions. Last, massage the wrist by moving your fingers in tiny circles. The steps for the legs are much like those for the arms.
Infant massage therapy works really well on the back. Place your baby on the tummy across your legs horizontally with the blanket underneath. Start the baby massage at the neck with both hands and then move down towards the buttocks making round circular motions with your fingertips. Work your way back to the starting point.
No matter which body part you are massaging, make sure the strokes are gentle but firm. Build the baby massage into your baby’s daily routine. Massages can last from 10 minutes up to 30 minutes, depending on baby’s mood. Watch his body language, and he will tell you when enough has been reached. Infant massage therapy is a powerful tool, and these infant massage techniques are just the start.
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