The Various Benefits of Infant Massage
Giving an infant routine massages will provide many benefits for both the baby and the parents. It is one idea that is starting to take hold among new parents as of late in the neo-natal field. Along with the many other responsibilities involved in infant care, hospitals and pregnancy clinics are beginning to encourage new parents to give their newborn regular massages. By educating them about the advantages of this new practice, more parents are apt to use the technique.
Infant massage has many benefits for your baby’s sleep cycle. Infant massage helps teach your baby the way to relax. As with all things, babies have to learn the art of relaxation. Babies who are massaged often tend to sleep better and more restfully than babies who are not massaged.
Massaging infants also has many physiological benefits for the babies. Many parents are surprised to learn that babies who are massaged have a stronger immune system compared with babies that are not massaged. Also, babies who are involved with a massage routine gain weight at a healthier rate. Massage also stimulates the hormones that lead to the proper growth and development of the baby. Babies who are touched frequently have more developed sensory awareness than those that are not frequently touched. Finally, massage is one of the best ways to relieve gas and colic in babies.
There are also psychological benefits to infant massage. Massage creates a bond between the parent and the baby that cannot be easily duplicated. Babies crave the touch of their parents, and the soothing movements of infant massage meet that psychological need. Psychologically, massaging a baby helps parents feel more confident in their skill with handling a baby. It also teaches the parents what their baby needs and what their different cues mean. Since massage helps sooth colicky, gassy babies, parents are more centered because they have something they can do to calm their otherwise inconsolable baby.
Massaging a baby does not have to be complicated. Begin learning how to massage when your baby is already calm and relatively still. It is best to work on massage when baby is not hungry. Go to a warm room, and remove as much clothing as possible. Skin to skin contact is especially important to infants. Put a little baby lotion or oil on your hands, and rub them together to warm up the liquid. Stroke your baby from the center of the body towards the extremities. Remember to spend time on those adorable little feet! The first massage should only last a few minutes, perhaps five or less, but as you and your baby become more comfortable, start increasing the time of massage for as long as your baby enjoys the massage.
The best thing to do is to get on a schedule for massaging your infant. In order to help the infant sleep better, massage it just before laying it down for the night. This will provide a better stimulus for relaxation throughout the night. Massaging your infant with soothing hands will create a bond of trust from the infant to the parent. Not only will this create a strong attachment between you and your newborn, but it will soon be an activity that you will look forward to doing.
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