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belly flower
Pregnancy Yoga - Belly Flex...Childbirth Education....Labor/Birth Support...Mother Baby Yoga...Infant Massage...Breastfeeding Support
New! Belly Flex - yoga based childbirth preparation...more than just pregnancy yoga!
Margaret River...Busselton...South Western Australia
info@bellyflower.com.au 0417186673
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More than just pregnancy yoga!
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Benefits of Baby Massage
By Natalie Burgess
As seen in Interaction Journal December 2008 (Publication of National Association of Childbirth Educators)
Infant or baby massage is not a new concept, and has been practiced by mothers, on their babies, for many years. Believed to have originated in India, regular massage of the infant was part of the daily rhythm of life, with the practice of infant massage being passed down to generation to generation. Too much of our time, as mothers today, is spent attempting to fit our baby into a timetable and routine. Allowing yourself to be guided by your baby will facilitate an understanding of your baby as a unique individual and promote bonding and a greater enjoyment of early motherhood.
Infant massage provides the mother (and father) a wonderful opportunity to simply (and quietly) observe their baby. As a general guide, the daily cycle for a baby (0-6mnths) will include:
Quiet Alertness is the time in which a baby is happy to observe their environment and will sit or lay contentedly. This is the best time for baby massage. The length of time each baby is happy to be in this quiet alert period is variable, influenced by their unique little personality. During this time of quiet alertness and massage, a new mother may discover that intuitively responding to her baby’s needs will result in a content and relaxed baby, and a happy, relaxed mother.
The benefits of infant massage are numerous, and include;
Relaxing touch for mother and baby increases the release of endorphins, the wonderful hormone that promotes feelings of wellbeing, reducing anxiety and stress. Increased feelings of wellbeing can help alleviate symptoms associated with postnatal depression, a condition that is reportedly suffered by as many as 1 in 4 women in Australia.
At birth many women instinctively place their baby immediately to their chest, promoting skin to skin contact with their newborn. Skin to skin contact is a wonderful form of intimate expression, and enhances bonding of mother and child. Baby massage encourages ongoing skin to skin contact, benefiting both infant and mother (and father).
Infant massage teaches babies that touch is a form of expression, and encourages sensory awareness. It is important to remember that massage is an intimate form of touch, and therefore parents should always be guided by their baby’s cues before and during a massage. As adults we choose to have a massage, we make the booking and in doing so give permission for the massage therapist to touch us. Infants communicate in a more subtle fashion, and once cues to interaction are identified, parents will discover that they begin to respond intuitively to their baby’s needs outside of massage time.
So what are the cues for infant touch and massage? As a general guide a baby in the quiet alert stage of their daily cycle will provide parents with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ cues to interaction. Eye contact, smiling, cooing and relaxed body movements all indicate that the infant is happy to interact. Avoiding eye contact, arching of the back, crying, facial grimacing and jerky body movements are associated with the ‘no’ cue to interaction.
Infant massage can help to relieve discomfort associated with colic, wind and reflux. Massage increases circulation, and the flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to all the muscles and organs, encouraging optimal growth and development. Many infants are born with an immature lower oesophageal sphincter, the valve at the entrance of the stomach that prevents the regurgitation of gastric contents into the oesophagus. An immature lower oesophageal sphincter allows for small amounts of milk feeds to be regurgitated, commonly called posseting. In some infants the regurgitation can be painful, similar to the discomfort associated with adult heartburn. Regular massage promotes maturity of the digestive system (and lower oesophageal sphincter).
Sleep and settling patterns are also improved with the introduction of regular massage. A parent will discover that they ‘tune’ in to their baby, listening to their baby and being guided directly by their baby’s body language. A baby who is not over tired or over stimulated will settle to sleep with greater ease, than a baby whose sleep signs have been misunderstood. Prior to exhibiting the classic tired signs…crying, grimacing, clenched fists…many babies will show self settling signs…soft staring eyes, relaxed face, relaxed hands.
Regular infant massage will provide many benefits for you and your baby. Enjoy your baby, cuddle, touch and listen, and be guided by your natural parenting instincts.
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Page updated: 23/07/2010 Copyright ©belly flower 2005/2010ABN 96 282 733 677
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