Therapeutic & Developmental Benefits of Infant Massage
The first question you might find yourself asking is, do infants really need a massage?
And that is a completely valid question because we typically think of massage therapy as a relaxing treatment, or a treatment we might seek out when we have sore muscles from overwork or an injury.
But I invite you to look at it a little differently…
Your baby has been growing in a cushy, warm and contained environment for the past 9 ish months until one day they either journey through the birth canal or are surgically removed from the uterus. Both can be traumatic experiences for your little one which can cause muscle tension, torticollis, and issues with latching, just to name a few. Not to mention that if they make their debut a little earlier than originally planned and find themselves hanging out in the NICU, their needs for touch therapy are much higher.
According to the International Association of Infant Massage, the benefits of infants massage are grouped into 4 categories: Interaction, Stimulation, Relaxation and Relief.
Interaction
helps baby build body awareness
promotes attachment and bonding by providing a nurturing experience between parent and infant
helps baby bond with different members of the family who may be providing infant massage
Stimulation
stimulate all body systems in babies including circulation and digestion
improves sensory awareness
the sensory stimulation of touch promotes growth and development by supporting myelination of the brain and nervous system
Relaxation
helps babies sleep longer and deeper
increases oxytocin
helps babies to feel comforted and safe
Relief
can help to reduce colic symptoms
helps to relieve discomfort from gas and constipation
relief from muscular tension and discomfort from their birth
Babies born prematurely are taken away from their parents so that they can get the support their bodies need to thrive. However, being taken away from their parent at birth has consequences to their growth and development. Studies show that introducing massage, whether from their parents or a nurse overseeing their care, NICU babies had lowered stress levels, a shorter length of stay, reduced pain, and improved weight gain, feeding tolerance, and neurodevelopment.
Humans need touch to feel loved, safe and secure. This starts from the moment they are born. So I encourage you to seek out massage therapy for your new babe. The therapist can teach you techniques that feel good for your baby while helping you build that bond together.
