Benefits of Baby Massage
1. Relief of discomfort
Massage releases both oxytocin and endorphins and therefore can
assist in relieving discomfort from teething, congestion, colic
and emotional stress.
Teething: teething has been described as a painful
struggle for some babies. Though infant massage has not been proven
to relieve all discomfort associated with teething it can be successfully
used in conjunction with the parent’s choice of care during
these times.
In addition to providing the infant with reassurance and comfort,
the endorphins and oxytocins released assist with pain relief and
mood enhancement.
Congestion: Chest congestion
The Swedish massage technique for ‘breaking up’ the
congestion of mucous in the chest involves a form of tapotement.
This technique, when learnt and practiced properly, can ‘break
up’ the mucous in the lungs making it easier for infants to
eliminate the excess mucous.
Sinus congestion: Massaging the sinuses on the
face helps clear the sinuses of excess mucous. This is helpful to
infants as it eases the process of ridding the nasal passage of
excess mucous.
Colic: IMIS defines colic as painful gas causing
a distended, firm abdomen, which takes an infant a long period of
time to eliminate without assistance. Repeating a small series of
strokes on the abdomen has been used to relieve colic. In addition
to this the stoking helps the infant to relax so that tension does
not escalate their discomfort. We believe that a daily massage (incorporating
correct massage of the abdomen) can help in preventing colic. By
applying gentle pressure to the abdomen while stroking using a specific
sequence, small amounts of gas trapped between other substances
can be moved through the colon, assisting in elimination. If these
small amounts are consistently being eliminated a build up of gas
can be prevented.
Emotional Stress: Infants sometimes use their massage
time to weep and though IMIS does not recommend that stroking continue
through this crying we do believe this emotional release is positive.
Studies have shown that withholding emotions can lead to health
problems; it is for this reason that qualified instructors encourage
parents to view an emotional release during massage as an opportunity
to truly listen to their child and allow them to release tension.
2. Speeds myelination of the brain and nervous system
Skin stimulation speeds the process of myelination of the brain
and nervous system therefore improving brain-body communication
and enhancing neural-cell firing.
3. Relaxation and enhancement of neurological development
Massage provides both stress and relaxation for an infant, both
being components of optimum learning conditions.
During massage an infant may experience both stress and relaxation.
Increased circulation, the air on their skin, the stimulation of
stroking, are all potentially stressful to a newborn, yet these
are balanced with the reassurance the parent’s voice, odor
and touch provide. This kind of balance is essential for the learning
process. Stress causes the pituitary gland to produce ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic
hormone). Experiments where laboratory animals are given ACTH show
growth of millions of new connecting links between the neurons.
This is what enables the brain to process information and, applied
to infants, this process aids in converting new and stressful situations
into something that is recognized as predictable.
If not balanced with relaxation an overload of stress can result
in the decrease of sensory intake, something that is essential if
infants are to reach their full potential.
It is estimated that stress plays a part in 60-90% of all illnesses
so it may follow suit that infant massage, which provides the balance
of relaxation will assist infants in learning to effectively cope
with stress and, based on this above estimate may in fact be healthier
because of it.
4. Sleep
Some infants sleep for longer periods following massage and appear
to have longer periods of deep sleep. This seems to please most
parents and is often the reason they seek an infant massage course.
As with many other situations involving infants, a course of action
that is effective with one infant does not necessarily apply to
the next. There are cases where the problematic sleep pattern of
infants is not affected by massage.
5. Stimulates the vagus nerve
Dr. Tiffany Field, founder of the Touch Research Institute in Florida,
found that massage stimulates the vagus nerve.
Cranial nerve X, the vagus nerve has many interesting functions
including increasing peristalsis. Defined by Thibadeau and Patton
in ‘Anatomy and Physiology’, peristalsis is “wave
like, rhythmic contractions of the stomach and intestines that move
food material along the digestive tract.” Therefore we can
conclude that MASSAGE STIMULATES AND AIDS DIGESTION.
The vagus nerve’s sensory fibers also supply the lungs. A
study conducted at the Touch Research Institute showed that following
one month of 20 minute massages each night, asthmatic children could
breathe better. (Based on their daily peak airflow readings). From
this we conclude that MASSAGE DEEPENS RESPIRATION.
6. Teaches infants that touch is a form of expression.
7. Helps tone muscles and aids growth
8. Enhances the bonding process
9. Increases infant’s body awareness
IMIS instructors encourage parents to name body parts during massage.
. This simple practice teaches infants games, words and speech.
In addition to this, body awareness can assist newborns who are
still adapting to an environment without the boundaries of the womb.
10. Strengthens the immune system
A study conducted at the Touch Research Institute in Miami, Florida,
found that massage resulted in a significant increase is Natural
Killer Cell numbers. Natural Killer cells are a group of white blood
cells that kill many types of tumour cells. This is thought to have
particularly positive implications for children suffering from HIV
and cancer.
11. Teaches children from birth that they are in charge
of their own body and that it is ok for them to say no to people
touching them...
IMIS teaches parents to interpret an infant’s body language
in regards to massage. We recommend that when they interpret a ‘no
cue’ from the infant to respond appropriately by either not
continuing or not beginning the massage. By respecting the child’s
rejection of touch, parents are teaching their infant that he/she
deserves respect when it comes to making decisions about who touches
their body and that it is ok to say no if you don’t want to
be touched.
12. Increases oxygen and nutrient flow to the cells
13. Increases circulation
14. Improves sensory awareness
15. Helps encourage midline orientation
This assists with coordination and balance.
16. Parents feel more confident in their new role...
...knowing that they can do something themselves to enhance the
health and development of their child.
17. Massage provides quality time with a working parent
18. Increases the parent’s ability to help relax
their child in times of stress
19. Is relaxing and fun for parents
20. Can involve the father...
… to assist in alleviating the possible feelings that they
are being left out. (Particularly common when the mother is breast-feeding).
21. Enables parents to be more receptive to their baby
Interpreting the infant’s body language during massage is
certainly a part of this, but on a medical level, parents who massage
each day are more likely to notice a change in their child’s
physical condition. For example, they may feel a strange lump that
may have gone un-noticed for a period of time with an infant who
was not receiving massage.
22. Infant massage is fun!
We have heard this time and time again. Watch a parent massage their
child – you can definitely see the enjoyment being reciprocated
between the two. The feedback we receive from parents and infants
(through body language) indicates that they are as eager as each
other when it comes to be time for their daily massage routine.
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