Baby massageWhen your baby was born, one of the first things you did was to touch him. Perhaps he was born onto your stomach, or brought straight into your arms. Even if he was whisked off for tests or to Special Care, you probably stole a few precious seconds to stroke his face, or hold his fingers. Touch is an instinctive form of communication between you and your baby from the moment he is born, and continues throughout childhood and into adulthood. When your toddler is sleepy he'll cuddle up to you, when your child falls and hurts himself, you 'rub it better', and no matter what their age, a hug is always welcome (yes, even with teenagers!) Baby massage builds on the human need for touch, and numerous studies have proven the benefits to both mother and child, psychologically, emotionally, developmentally and physiologically.
What is baby massage?Baby massage is simply a method that helps to reinforce the natural power of touch. It is an ancient art that has been used in many diverse cultures to help with a variety of physical and emotional needs and to promote relaxation. When you massage your baby, it helps you to understand his subtle non-verbal language and develop your ability to listen to him, laying down the foundations of trust and security which will help you to build a happy and confident relationship with your baby for the future. Why massage?Infant massage is beneficial for you and your baby in so many ways. Studies have shown how important touch is to your growing baby and its importance for you in helping build confidence and an understanding of the new special person in your life. The main benefits can be summarised as;
Massage can help to ease colic, constipation and wind by toning the digestive system and eliminating wind. It is also useful for easing teething pains and congestion on the chest. Massage on the face can help to clear snuffly noses if baby has a cold. Massage also helps baby's muscles to develop and helps mature the nervous system by stimulating nerve endings in the skin. Uses of oils on the skin can help with conditions such as eczema. The best oil to use is a organic sunflower oil but other vegetable based oils such a olive oil are very nourishing on dry skin or cradle cap. Coconut oil is also suitable for babies with very sensitive skin. What about premature babies?Baby massage can be of particularly benefit to premature babies. Studies have shown that premature babies receiving massage gained weight faster than babies not receiving massage and were able to leave hospital earlier. Touch is vital for the survival of infants and massage can help baby to release feel good hormones in the body increasing digestion, lowering heart rate and encouraging a relaxed state. Some things to remember when massaging your prem baby
When, how and how often should it be done?Massage is an extension of our instinct to nurture and touch and so it is appropriate to begin massage from birth using gentle strokes. Babies younger than six weeks would benefit from a shorter sessions of 5-10 minutes as they may be sensitive to stimulation however, some babies may not like being naked for very long until they're around six to eight weeks old. Once your baby is able to have short relaxed periods in his day, a longer massage will help to relax both of you and provide special time together. Before you start:
Remember that baby massage is something all parents can do without expert tuition, all you need is a warm pair of hands and some time! Just put some oil on your hands and start with long sweeping strokes down across your baby's body. Try not to break contact and repeat this motion up his body. Keep the pressure gentle but firm and then just do what's intuitive and be guided by your baby. Massage often forms part of Parentcraft classes and you can look for baby massage classes in your area, your health visitor is likely to have details. There are also lots of books, websites and videos explaining how to massage. Are there any times when baby massage shouldn't be performed?There are times when it would not be appropriate to massage your baby. These include;
You should consult your medical professional before practice if your baby is on medication or has any serious medical condition. You may also feel that there are other times when it is inappropriate to massage your baby. You should always listen to your instincts when deciding whether practice is appropriate. What age can you massage babies till?Massage is beneficial for anyone of any age. When your baby starts moving around you can still keep massaging him. You might need to be a bit more flexible as to which area your baby lets you massage but your baby will still enjoy your nurturing touch. Try using songs, rhymes and stories to keep your baby's interest. You could use fun games to help baby relax. When your child gets older you can still use massage. Incorporate massage into their interests to keep touch an important part of your relationship. For example, give your child a footballer's massage or horse rider's massage. Massage is now being used in schools and studies have shown that it can help to combat bullying and promote a more caring approach between pupils. Where to next?
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