BackpackWeight

• Infant Massage: A Parent’s Golden Touch
—the benefits of a parent's touch

Infant massage seems to be sweeping the world at the moment—its popularity has exploded within the last few years. But, as with most natural healing techniques, it is by no means a new thing. People have been massaging babies for centuries.

Infant massage obviously benefits the infant. This is one of the main reasons for giving massage. Caring touch is good for everyone and especially infants who are new to the world. They need the reassurance of someone special being there for them.

But massage can also benefit caregivers by increasing their awareness of the baby and the baby’s needs. It can also aid the bonding process between caregiver and baby.

Although it can seem like there is not much going on in a baby’s world, it is a new and exciting time for them. It may seem like they do little but eat, sleep and demand attention—with a regular diaper change thrown in—but they are learning more now than they will ever learn again in such a short period of time.

Little wonder that it takes time to adjust from being thrust rudely from the tranquility, warmth and comfort of the womb to a world of changing faces, cold winds, warm baths and well, everything else that we see every day and take for granted.

Even though massaging your baby will not ensure that your baby will be a happy and easy child, it may ease some of the problems that you encounter along the way.

The benefits of Infant Massage can be grouped into the areas of relaxation, stimulation, interaction and relief.

You may think that relaxation should not be necessary for a baby. After all, what worries do they have? But there is much going on in a new baby’s life. Babies have more to adjust to than they will ever have again.

Stress is normal in everyone’s life, including baby’s. It is what ensures we get up in the morning. It has been found that all humans, from infancy to old age, survive best on a period of high stress followed by periods of deep relaxation.

However, we as a race have forgotten how to relax. There is always something that needs to be done, a deadline to meet or a call to make. Babies can pick up on this and because we do not know how to relax, they do not learn how to relax.

Massage can help ease the muscles into relaxation and when practiced on a regular basis, teaches the infant what relaxation is and how to go about it. As a side-benefit, the person doing the massage gets to take time out to gently massage the baby and de-stress at the same time!

The second benefit of infant massage is relief from pain. Colic can be a nightmare. “Colic” is a term used to describe a particular pattern of crying. Babies seem to suffer inconsolable misery and apparent pain, often drawing their knees up toward their stomachs, clenching their fists and twisting up their faces.

The distinctive bouts of crying usually start around three to four weeks of age and peak at about six to eight weeks. Babies with colic cry for several hours at a stretch, often in the evening.

Sometimes the baby can be soothed for a short while but the crying soon starts again for no discernible reason.
The baby’s behavior usually elicits fear, anxiety, anger, a lack of sleep and a general feeling of helplessness for the parent or caregiver. The true cause of colic is seldom discovered.

In every other respect, babies with colic are usually happy, healthy and developing normally. Colic rarely lasts more that three months, though some babies show symptoms until they are around five months of age.

If your newborn is crying for prolonged periods, and you can’t see any reason for it, it is best to get your baby checked by your provider first before blaming “colic.” There may be some physical problem causing the crying and it’s essential to rule out the possibility of something more serious.

Your provider can give you more information on the management of your baby’s problems. Occasionally, changes can be made in formulas; the diet of a breastfeeding mother can be altered; or the baby may be dealing with reflux and a medication may be used to relieve the baby’s discomfort.

There are several massage techniques and exercises that can ease the pain and discomfort being experienced by your baby whether from colic, reflux or constipation. These techniques can prevent further problems and provide relief for your baby and yourself. They can help to disperse gas, ease muscle spasm, tone the digestive system as well as help it work efficiently.

It is not a miracle cure and it may take a few days for the discomfort to ease. But with regular use over time it is very effective. Besides helping to relieve colic, there are also massage techniques that can help teething and emotional stress.

It may seem that stimulation is incompatible with relaxation, but massage can relax and stimulate, all depending on the mood, setting and what your aims are. Touch stimulates growth-promoting substances in the body.

Healthcare providers have long known that babies who are touched a lot grow better and now there is research to support that. Probably the most startling statistic of infant massage research so far is that massage can help increase weight gain in premature infants by as much as 47 percent.

Touch promotes brain growth. Not only is touch good for the body, it’s good for the mind. Studies show that newborns receiving extra touch display enhanced neurological development. Research indicates that touch promotes the growth of myelin, the insulation material around nerves that makes impulses travel faster.Touch improves digestion by increasing the secretion of digestive hormones, which makes the baby’s digestive system more efficient. Touch improves the baby’s behavior. It also stimulates blood flow, when you massage someone you will feel the area you are working on become warmer.

Research shows babies receiving extra touch become better organized. They sleep better at night, fuss less during the day and relate better to caregivers’ interactions.

Interaction (also classed as bonding) is a very complex process and many factors can affect it. It is the development of understanding of each other, of knowledge about who the other is and what they need.

Each parent/baby bond is very unique, and there is no one way that it happens, no one method that guarantees an easy path. Bonding isn’t an instantaneous reaction to having brought a baby into your life. It is an ongoing process and as such, it can be started at any time. But it will happen.

It is not a case of “love at first sight”, but an ongoing process, working at it from day one and continuing to work at it as your baby grows and changes. There is always something new to learn about children as they grow. They develop and change. Because of that, the bond between parent and child is always growing and changing.

Infant massage encourages a good relationship between mother, father and baby. Continuing to massage your children as they grow nurtures that relationship. It also provides a time for relaxation, communication and fun with your child.
It gives them a place and a time to be together, free from the worries and pressures of everyday life. Once the massage techniques are learned there comes a time of real communication between parent and baby. You watch and learn and get to know each other.

Massage is a touch you do with your baby, not to your baby. It’s an interaction, not a task. You learn which strokes your baby enjoys and, as with dancing, go with the flow of your baby’s body language.

While it is nearly impossible to rub your baby the wrong way, there are resources to learn the right touch for your baby.
Much of the popularity of infant massage can be attributed to Vimala McClure and the International Association of Infant Massage.

There are many books and videos you can purchase through your local bookstore.
Classes are taught through many school districts’ Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) centers.
Some park and recreation brochures will list classes.
Minneapolis Children’s Medical Center offers individualized teaching (call: 612-813-7888)
You may be referred by your provider to receive instructions from me.

Instructors have been trained and certified through the International Association of Infant Massage through the work of Vimala McClure. Her book Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents is also very helpful and can be purchased at most bookstores.


Spring 2003 Volume Six Number Two • Infant Massage: A Parent’s Golden Touch —the benefits of a parent's touch Infant massage seems to be sweeping the world at the moment—its popularity has exploded within the last few years. But, as with most natural healing techniques, it is by no means a new thing. People have been massaging babies for centuries. Infant massage obviously benefits the infant. This is one of the main reasons for giving massage. Caring touch is good for everyone and especially infants who are new to the world. They need the reassurance of someone special being there for them. But massage can also benefit caregivers by increasing their awareness of the baby and the baby’s needs. It can also aid the bonding process between caregiver and baby. Although it can seem like there is not much going on in a baby’s world, it is a new and exciting time for them. It may seem like they do little but eat, sleep and demand attention—with a regular diaper change thrown in—but they are learning more now than they will ever learn again in such a short period of time. Little wonder that it takes time to adjust from being thrust rudely from the tranquility, warmth and comfort of the womb to a world of changing faces, cold winds, warm baths and well, everything else that we see every day and take for granted. Even though massaging your baby will not ensure that your baby will be a happy and easy child, it may ease some of the problems that you encounter along the way. The benefits of Infant Massage can be grouped into the areas of relaxation, stimulation, interaction and relief. Relaxation You may think that relaxation should not be necessary for a baby. After all, what worries do they have? But there is much going on in a new baby’s life. Babies have more to adjust to than they will ever have again. Stress is normal in everyone’s life, including baby’s. It is what ensures we get up in the morning. It has been found that all humans, from infancy to old age, survive best on a period of high stress followed by periods of deep relaxation. However, we as a race have forgotten how to relax. There is always something that needs to be done, a deadline to meet or a call to make. Babies can pick up on this and because we do not know how to relax, they do not learn how to relax. Massage can help ease the muscles into relaxation and when practiced on a regular basis, teaches the infant what relaxation is and how to go about it. As a side-benefit, the person doing the massage gets to take time out to gently massage the baby and de-stress at the same time! Relief The second benefit of infant massage is relief from pain. Colic can be a nightmare. “Colic” is a term used to describe a particular pattern of crying. Babies seem to suffer inconsolable misery and apparent pain, often drawing their knees up toward their stomachs, clenching their fists and twisting up their faces. The distinctive bouts of crying usually start around three to four weeks of age and peak at about six to eight weeks. Babies with colic cry for several hours at a stretch, often in the evening. Sometimes the baby can be soothed for a short while but the crying soon starts again for no discernible reason. The baby’s behavior usually elicits fear, anxiety, anger, a lack of sleep and a general feeling of helplessness for the parent or caregiver. The true cause of colic is seldom discovered. In every other respect, babies with colic are usually happy, healthy and developing normally. Colic rarely lasts more that three months, though some babies show symptoms until they are around five months of age. If your newborn is crying for prolonged periods, and you can’t see any reason for it, it is best to get your baby checked by your provider first before blaming “colic.” There may be some physical problem causing the crying and it’s essential to rule out the possibility of something more serious. Your provider can give you more information on the management of your baby’s problems. Occasionally, changes can be made in formulas; the diet of a breastfeeding mother can be altered; or the baby may be dealing with reflux and a medication may be used to relieve the baby’s discomfort. There are several massage techniques and exercises that can ease the pain and discomfort being experienced by your baby whether from colic, reflux or constipation. These techniques can prevent further problems and provide relief for your baby and yourself. They can help to disperse gas, ease muscle spasm, tone the digestive system as well as help it work efficiently. It is not a miracle cure and it may take a few days for the discomfort to ease. But with regular use over time it is very effective. Besides helping to relieve colic, there are also massage techniques that can help teething and emotional stress. Stimulation It may seem that stimulation is incompatible with relaxation, but massage can relax and stimulate, all depending on the mood, setting and what your aims are. Touch stimulates growth-promoting substances in the body. Healthcare providers have long known that babies who are touched a lot grow better and now there is research to support that. Probably the most startling statistic of infant massage research so far is that massage can help increase weight gain in premature infants by as much as 47 percent. Touch promotes brain growth. Not only is touch good for the body, it’s good for the mind. Studies show that newborns receiving extra touch display enhanced neurological development. Research indicates that touch promotes the growth of myelin, the insulation material around nerves that makes impulses travel faster.Touch improves digestion by increasing the secretion of digestive hormones, which makes the baby’s digestive system more efficient. Touch improves the baby’s behavior. It also stimulates blood flow, when you massage someone you will feel the area you are working on become warmer. Research shows babies receiving extra touch become better organized. They sleep better at night, fuss less during the day and relate better to caregivers’ interactions. Interaction Interaction (also classed as bonding) is a very complex process and many factors can affect it. It is the development of understanding of each other, of knowledge about who the other is and what they need. Each parent/baby bond is very unique, and there is no one way that it happens, no one method that guarantees an easy path. Bonding isn’t an instantaneous reaction to having brought a baby into your life. It is an ongoing process and as such, it can be started at any time. But it will happen. It is not a case of “love at first sight”, but an ongoing process, working at it from day one and continuing to work at it as your baby grows and changes. There is always something new to learn about children as they grow. They develop and change. Because of that, the bond between parent and child is always growing and changing. Infant massage encourages a good relationship between mother, father and baby. Continuing to massage your children as they grow nurtures that relationship. It also provides a time for relaxation, communication and fun with your child. It gives them a place and a time to be together, free from the worries and pressures of everyday life. Once the massage techniques are learned there comes a time of real communication between parent and baby. You watch and learn and get to know each other. Massage is a touch you do with your baby, not to your baby. It’s an interaction, not a task. You learn which strokes your baby enjoys and, as with dancing, go with the flow of your baby’s body language. While it is nearly impossible to rub your baby the wrong way, there are resources to learn the right touch for your baby. Much of the popularity of infant massage can be attributed to Vimala McClure and the International Association of Infant Massage. Infant massage instruction can be obtained in many ways: There are many books and videos you can purchase through your local bookstore. Classes are taught through many school districts’ Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) centers. Some park and recreation brochures will list classes. Minneapolis Children’s Medical Center offers individualized teaching (call: 612-813-7888) You may be referred by your provider to receive instructions from me. Instructors have been trained and certified through the International Association of Infant Massage through the work of Vimala McClure. Her book Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents is also very helpful and can be purchased at most bookstores. —Jane Spencer, MS, CPNP