The Complete Guide to Infant Massage For New Parents
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If you thought that relaxing massages were just for adults then think again. Infant massage or, baby massage as it is also known, has become an increasingly popular way to soothe and promote wellness in infants. With its long list of benefits, many parents have reported both better health and emotional regulation in their babies after performing regular infant massage.
So let’s find out more about it!
What Is Infant Massage?
Infant massage (or baby massage as it is also known) is a type of massage therapy that is designed to promote health and wellness in infants.
In simple terms, infant massage is the act of gently massaging the body of a baby in order to relax them as well as promote better health. It is usually performed by lightly stroking or gently rubbing the infant’s skin, with or without oil.
It can be done by either a professional or a parent so it’s something you can learn to do yourself. There are also many infant massage classes you can attend to learn infant massage techniques. At the Prenatal Massage and Movement Center here in New York, we are hosting Infant Massage classes. Click below to book a class!
Benefits of Infant Massage
Infant massage has a range of benefits including improved sleep, helping to relieve gas, reduced crying as well as helping to create a closer bond between a parent and child.
It has also been shown to be beneficial in reducing stress in both parents and infants, making it an enjoyable and relaxing activity for both parent and baby. A happy baby equals a happy parent!
For example, one study actually found that massaged infants cried less frequently than non-massaged infants. What’s more, parents who have practiced infant massage therapy on their babies also reported lower levels of anxiety and depression, as well as increased feelings of closeness with their little one.
Another one of its really useful benefits is that infant massage can also help to relieve gas and constipation. This is really useful when your baby is fussing because of tummy troubles.
Benefits of infant massage include:
Promotes emotional and cognitive development
Soothes ‘fussing’
Eases teething pains
Boosts muscle development
Improves quality of sleep
Decreases irritability
Relieves gas and constipation
Eases colic
Strengthens the immune system
Promotes emotional connection between baby and parent
Helps the development of preemies
Stimulates the senses
Can be done easily at home
Infant Massage Tips
Before you perform infant massage therapy on your baby, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Firstly, you will need to decide whether you will use oil or not. Oil is not essential and if you are massaging a newborn, you may want to go without and just be extra gentle with your hands. It is recommended that you use an unscented natural oil that is edible. Cold pressed coconut oil is a good option. Stay away from nut oils as you don’t know at this stage whether your baby is allergic.
Secondly, choose a place that is comfortable for you both and is the right temperature.
Thirdly, follow your baby's cues. This is something that should be enjoyable for you both so allow your baby to show you if they are enjoying it or not. Watch to see how their body responds.
Lastly, if you are massaging your baby to relieve gas or constipation, then gently stroke their tummy in a clockwise motion. This will help to create movement in their digestive system.
The Importance of Touch - The Intelligence of the Skin & Non-Verbal Communication
Touch is one of the most important forms of communication which is why infant massage is such a powerful therapy. It is a form of nonverbal communication that can convey a message, elicit an emotion, or strengthen a relationship.
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and it has many functions. It provides protection from external injury and infection; regulates body temperature; stores water and fat; produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight; and acts as a sense organ for touch, pain, pressure, temperature, itchiness (pruritus), tickle (carcinoma), etc. As such, therapy which includes rubbing or touching of the skin can be extremely beneficial.
Non-verbal communication can be defined as any type of social interaction wherein information is exchanged between two or more people without using words. Non-verbal communications are made up of four types: facial expressions, gestures, eye-gazing and, last but not least, touch!
How to Make a Massage Plan For Your Baby & Get Them Used to a Regular Routine
One brilliant way of using infant massage to get the most out of its benefits is to consider incorporating it into your baby’s routine. It is most effective when done at night time or around bath time so try to do it around these times if you can.
Creating a routine or a massage plan for your baby may seem like a lot of work at first but it will get easier as you go along. Keeping the routine the same every day helps ensure that they get used to it and the benefits will be even more evident!
As previously mentioned, always follow the cues of your baby and if they aren’t in the mood for a massage that day, then try another day. Allow infant massage to become another tool in your parenting toolkit.
FAQs
What are the benefits of infant massage?
There are a wide range of benefits to infant massage. Some of the benefits include promoting emotional and cognitive development, easing of teething pains, soothing fussing, easing digestive problems and improved sleep. See ‘Benefits of Infant Massage’ for more information.
When should I start massaging my newborn?
The first three months of your baby’s life are the best time to start practicing infant massage therapy. This is because important physical development is occurring during this time and infant massage can assist this development.
For very young babies, keep the massage very gentle and mainly use light strokes.
How to use infant massage to relieve gas and constipation?
Infant massage is a great way of relieving both gas and constipation in your baby. Gently stroke your baby’s tummy in a circular clockwise motion to help soothe their tummy. This should help create movement and allow them to break wind and poop with more ease.
Have more questions? Anne Heckheimer, our founder, will be happy to answer any questions you may have which you can ask through our contact page.