Baby and infant massage has been used for centuries, most predominantly in African and Asian countries. More recently, the Western world has become interested in the scientifically proven benefits of massage to both baby and parent.
The History of Infant Massage
In many countries, such as Nigeria, India, Bali, Fiji and the Maori in New Zealand, infant massage is considered a routine part of childcare, from the moment of birth until the baby is several months old.
In 1993, the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, studied mothers in Calcutta performing traditional Indian massage on their newborn babies. They noted that the daily massage was quite rigorous and afterwards, once swaddled, the babies slept soundly.
In other countries, babies were given a daily massage after their evening bath and the results were the same - content, sleeping babies.
However, despite these cultures having practiced infant massage for centuries, this ancient art has only recently reached Western shores.
In the late eighties, Vimala McClure, founder of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) popularized Infant Massage in America after publishing a book based on the Indian massage techniques she had observed on her travels. Classes are now held across the USA and Europe.
The Benefits of Infant Massage
The first sense to develop in the womb is that of touch and it is thought that because of this, babies respond in a positive way to being held, stroked and cuddled by their parents. Based on these principles, more and more research into baby massage has proven the multitude of benefits to both baby and parents.
- Close contact massage encourages and builds strong bonds between parents and child
- Touch stimulates brain activity leading to increased attentiveness, learning and intelligence
- Touch stimulates the other senses, speeding myelination of the brain and nervous system, and promoting language and communication skills.
- Massage increases oxygen and nutrient flow to cells, increasing your baby's optimum ability to learn
- Enhances neurological development and muscle tone.
- Enhances the function and production of normal bodily hormones
- Reduces the production of cortisol - your baby's stress hormone
- Baby massage eases and reduces colic and gas
- Reduces pain associated with constipation and teething
- Calms and soothes at times of inoculation or other invasive procedures
- Increases feel good hormones in parents, helping them feel positive and relaxed
How To Massage Your Baby
- There are many classes available to learn how to massage your baby but the following describes the basics.
- Environment - the room should be warm, about 25°C and quiet. If you want some noise, have background music rather than the TV. Lay your baby naked on a soft towel and make sure he does not get cold.
- Time - massage can be done at any time of the day but is best done after your baby's bath, most commonly in the evening before he settles for the night
- Touch - when massaging your baby it's important you do not use too much pressure. To get an idea of the correct amount of pressure to use, close your eyes and massage your eyeballs. That is the same touch you should use on your baby.
- Strokes - in small areas use only your fingertips. Larger areas are best massaged using the palm of your hand.
- Oils - Grapeseed is the best oil to use. It's best to avoid nut-based oils because of the risk of an allergic reaction. However, even baby oil is suitable to use and many baby manufacturers now make special baby massage oils if you prefer to use them. Some aromatherapy oils can be particularly beneficial, such as lavender to soothe and calm, but it is important that they are correctly diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Massage
- Starting with his face, use your fingertips to gently stroke upwards over your baby's cheeks, forehead and chin, gently circling his eyes, ears, nose and mouth.
- Move to his arms, circling them at the shoulder and moving down to his wrists, gently using your fingertips on his palms.
- Moving onto his legs, use your whole hand to massage in an upward direction, gently bringing his knees to his tummy to help relieve colic and gas pains. Use your fingertips to massage circles on his feet.
- On his tummy, use gentle circles in a clockwise direction starting at his belly button and gradually increasing the size of the circles.
- Finally, use your palms to sweep slowly and gently along his back up to his shoulders. Do not massage his spine.
Once you have finished his massage, dress him and make sure he's comfortable. If he seems distressed at any time, or does not appear to be enjoying it, leave it for another time and comfort him as you would normally.
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