Benefits of Baby Massage
Benefits of Baby Massage
Baby Massage has been around for centuries, used in cultures throughout the world. It is now firmly re-establishing itself in the west, as the benefits of massage are being rediscovered by parents & health professionals alike: backed up by scientific research.
Baby Massage is a simple skill that is easy to learn, taking just a little time and effort. An hour per week for 3-6 weeks and usually most parents & babies are experiencing some of the many benefits of massage.
For Health Care Professionals, Therapists & Nursery Nurses, learning to teach baby massage is wonderful skill to have to support parents through this exciting, yet sometimes challenging, period in their lives as they get to know & understand their babies.
“I have really enjoyed doing this course, it has helped my confidence and I have gained new skills to share with parents”
— Nursery Nurse, Edinburgh
Benefits for Baby
Some of the main benefits
Sleep
Regular massage helps produce seretonin, a feel good horomone, which is turned into melatonin which can help babies sleep better.
Improve Immune System
Massage stimulates the circulation which in turns aids lymphatic drainage, helping get rid of toxins. White blood cell count can also improve.
Digestion
Regular abdominal massage can stimulate the gut so that babies absorb their food better, can pass wind more easily & are less likely to be constipated
Crying
Babies cry. It is how they communicate. Through regular massage babies cries are often better understood, and both baby & parent relax more, helped by the release of the feel good hormone oxytocin
Growing Pains
The firm pressure of massage, through the ‘Gate Theory’ helps babies feel less pain from growing, teething & digestion discomfort.
Reflux/Positing
Regular massage can help stimulate the development of the baby’s gut and can also help with digestion - so babies can keep their milk down more easily.
Attachment
Focused 1:1 time with good eye contact, singing & firm touch of massage helps babies securely attach to their primary care giver.
Neurological Development
Regular massage helps speed up the develpment of myelin sheath around the nerves. This in turn helps with better mind/body communication.
“I am a midwife of a steering group for post-natal depression and feel depressed mums benefit greatly from baby massage. This is the most valuable course to me professionally in my whole career. As already outlined, I will use the skills and knowledge gained in many spheres of my work”
— Nursing Sister, Stirling
Benefits for Parents
Bonding
A gentle way into bonding & attachment. Especially valuable with postnatal depression, vulnerable parents and any parent faced with the challenges of a new baby
Empowering
When Parents use massage and babies are less fussy, sleep better, have less digestive issues. they feel empowered in their job as a parent.
Communication
Loving touch is an essential form of communication & with few other distractions parents learn to pick up on their baby’s other cues.
Support
In baby massage sessions, other baby care topics can be shared & discussed & the social contact of a group can be especially valuable for 1st time parents
For Professionals
Enable
To enable Parents to understand their baby’s cues more easily with focused 1:1 time, which can allow for easier bonding.
Develop
To help parents develop a closer relationship with their baby & empower them with new skills for colic, constipation, sleep & more.
Broaden
By teaching & informing parents & including all your other skills, you are broadening Parents understanding of their baby’s development & requirements
Relax
In an environment that is soothing & calming, relationships are developed & skills passed over in an easy, relaxed manner. Pleasant for all involved.