The benefits of baby massage are enormous.

Introduction
The benefits of baby massage are enormous. Not only does it enable the mother or care giver precious time in which they can bond with their baby, but it also aids muscle development and relaxation. In the West, the realisation of the benefits of baby massage have only really become apparent during the last thirty years.

In other parts of the world, in countries such as Asia and Africa, baby massage has been carried out for many centuries as each subsequent generation has passed on the therapeutic benefits and effects of baby massage from one generation to the next.

This realisation in the West has meant that these days, baby massage is available in hospitals and clinics under the NHS (National Health Service) in the UK.
To a baby, touch is talk. Through massaging their baby parents and caregivers can gain more confidence in handling them and relating to them, by watching and interpreting their baby’s reaction to touch.
They find out what their baby likes and dislikes and this can only help a parent understand their baby better. Further, this helps in developing a positive relationship between baby and parents.
Massage has also been known to strengthen babies’ muscles and joints and help to relieve the symptoms of some ailments that are common in the early years of life.

Studies carried out across various cross cultures have shown that babies who have more body contact, that is by being carried, breastfed, massaged and gently handled, develop as adults who show empathy, compassion and cooperation with others.
The Benefits of Baby Massage to the Parent

BONDING
Baby massage provides mother and baby with the opportunity of increased eye contact
• Results in increased prolactin levels (prolactin is a hormone needed to produce breast milk, also known as the "mothering" hormone)
• Gives you the feeling of “falling in love" with your baby
• where there have been cases of abuse and neglect, baby massage has produced some positive results

DEVELOPING SENSITIVITY
When massaging your baby, you must be vigilant for signs of your baby’s reaction to your touch and particularly the pressure you apply. Babies are unable to tell you whether you are massaging them too hard!
In reading your baby’s body language and interpreting her reaction, you are acquiring some key parenting skills.

In fact, research studies have shown that mothers who had lots of early contact with their children could choose their 3 - 8 year old children's pyjamas from a pile of others that were identical!

STRESS RELIEF
Massage has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone.
• Parents benefit greatly from giving massages to their children and studies have shown that those who carry out massage on a regular interval benefit from reduced stress levels.
• Especially for working mums and dads, being able to give your baby a massage as soon as you return home from work, provides valuable quality time with your little one – and in doing so helps you to relax and “reconnect” with them.

The Benefits of Baby Massage to the Baby

STIMULATION
One of the earliest developed functions is skin sensitivity

• In studies carried out, research has illustrated that those animals that are touched more or stroked tend to be healthier in weight, more alert and bright-eyed and are more good natured than other animals
• Massage is so therapeutic, it has been shown to improve the stability of the nervous system and resistance to disease
• Regularly massaged infants and babies tend to be more friendly and alert once they are awake
• Similarly, these babies and/or toddlers tend to be quite chatterboxes and make more attempts at conversation than babies who have not been massaged
• Massaged babies tend to be more receptive to hugs and cuddles as they grow older.

RELAXATION
After baby massage you will find that your baby will usually have a brilliant night’s sleep (which often means that so can you!)
• Massaging babies can help them to get rid of their pent up frustration and tension
• It can aid in practicing handling input and responding to it with relaxation
• Gives babies/toddlers a positive self-image of their bodies
• Provides youngsters with a good set of relaxation techniques that may aid them in later years

GENERAL WELL BEING
The close loving contact that baby massage provides, helps babies such that they succumb to illness a lot less and are not so prone to crying as babies who are not massaged.
• The act of massaging aids in improving the circulatory process as well in providing a boost for the immune system by helping to move the lymph around.
• It has been shown that massage can aid in providing colic relief and other problems related to digestion (it helps shift the gas and faecal material)
• Its therapeutic benefits are such that it can aid in relieving the pain of teething, emotional stress and
• Massage can act as a pain killer in that the act of massaging result n producing endorphins.

PHYSICAL GROWTH
Massage promotes physical self-awareness, tones muscle and makes joints more flexible. In this way it is especially beneficial to premature babies, those with low birth weight and children with special needs.

SOCIAL SKILLS
Touching teaches a baby about communication.
Massage helps to establish a non-verbal communication with babies that enhances a parent’s early relationship with their child, and therefore helps builds the baby’s self-esteem and sociability.

In a study, conducted by the Touch Research Institute of the University Of Miami School Of Medicine, massaged babies gained 47 percent more weight than unmassaged babies given the same number of calories.

Premature Infants who are regularly massaged are hospitalized an average of six fewer days than non-massaged babies. This is why massage is now used in many special care nurseries.

PREPARING TO MASSSGE
When to start?
Baby massage can be started as early as the day a baby is born. However, special care must be taken to avoid touching the navel area until the umbilical cord stump has fallen off. This normally happens from between four to seven days after delivery.

Research has shown that premature babies receive tremendous benefits from baby massage.
When premature babies receive routine care in hospital their pulse rates increase and their oxygen levels decrease, indicating distress. However, when they are massaged, the opposite occurs: their pulse rates come down and their oxygen levels rise. This would indicate that premature babies find massage calming and soothing.

What environment is needed for the massage?
A warm room. The room must be warm enough to keep your baby comfortable (26 C) is the ideal room temperature. Babies lose heat quickly when uncovered and oil tends to reduce body heat as well.
 
A quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Do not have the television on or other people in the room causing interruption. Both parent and baby will enjoy the massage and tune into each other more effectively if there is nothing around to cause distraction.
What time of the day is best for baby’s massage?

The best time to massage a baby is when he is awake and feeling happy. Most people prefer to massage babies after a bath or before one. It is important the parent is also calm and relaxed otherwise the baby will absorb the tension and anxiety and be affected by the parent’s mood.
Also, it is advised not to carry out a massage immediately after a feed. Leave at least an hour between the baby being fed and being massaged, otherwise this may induce vomiting.
Do not leave the massage until just before the baby’s next feed as the baby may become distressed and unsettled during the massage if he is feeling hungry.

How long should a massage take?
Usually a massage can take about 20 to 30 minutes. A baby is not very big and so it is possible to do a complete massage in that time.
However, in the beginning, it will probably take a bit longer as parents new to massage will need to learn and get used to the different techniques.
A good way of learning for the parents to enrol themselves and the baby into baby massage classes.
In many cases hospitals or local clinics may have classes available or be able to recommend suitable points of contact. Being part of an interactive class where the tutor can show how to perform the movements, and then to be able to perform those very movements on a baby is an excellent way for parents to learn.

Failing that, there are many excellent books on baby massage; the ones with pictures are easiest to follow through.

There are also many excellent DVDs and videos which take you through the entire massage process step by step. As with anything, parents can use these tools to learn the techniques but after a few weeks, the whole massage process should become second nature.
How often should a baby be massaged?

If possible, baby massage should be incorporated into a baby’s daily routine. Even a 15 minute massage session will prove beneficial to both mother and baby. However, if this is not possible, even massaging a baby three times a week will still have positive results.
What oils should be used?

The basis of massage is skin to skin contact. Therefore parents should massage their babies once all the baby’s clothes have been removed. Oil will helps the hands move over the baby’s body smoothly, and allows long, continuous strokes to be made without causing friction.
Natural oils, such as almond oil, grape-seed oil or extra virgin olive oil, are excellent to use as these are easily absorbed by the skin.

Massage pressure
The ideal pressure to use on a baby is similar to that obtained when closing your eyes and pressing the eyelids without any discomfort.

In the small areas fingertips should be used. In bigger areas, such as the babies back and chest, the palms of the hand should be used.
 
Points to note
• Babies become very slippery when oiled so be very careful when picking them up after the massage.
• If a child is believed to have a nut allergy, use oil which is free of nut products.
• Do not use essential oils (aromatherapy oils) on babies unless directed by a trained aromatherapist.
• Do not massage a baby if he has a temperature.


A Step By Step Description of Massage Techniques

As mentioned before, the best way to learn baby massage is to take classes or from copying the techniques illustrated in books. The following excerpt was taken from www.makewayforbaby.com with their permission.


Preparation
Choose a moment in which you and your child are relaxed and calm. A half hour after the baby has eaten is recommended.

Be sure that the room temperature is warm (78 degrees Fahrenheit). Undress the baby completely, if the weather is cold or humid cover the areas of the baby's body that are not being massaged.

Put the baby on a soft surface so your baby will feel comfortable and secure. Keep some little pillows handy.

Basically the massage flows from the head to the toes. With soft and gentle touches you will work on the head, face, shoulders, arms, chest, stomach and legs.

While you massage your baby look tenderly at him/her. Doing this you stimulate all the senses of the baby and establish a more intense visual and tactile communication. Feel free to speak to your baby, do not inhibit yourself.

Remember that your touches should be tender do not make mechanic motions. Try to be flexible by not keeping a rigid routine.

If the baby wants to change position let them do so. Do not force your baby to keep a position; you can go back to these areas later on.
Technique
Pressure to use:
Close your eyes and press your eyelids. The pressure you should use is the same as pressing your eyelids without any discomfort.

In the small areas use your fingertips. In bigger areas use the palm of your hand. "Little strokes" mean to touch your baby's skin gently and "massage" is to softly move the muscles under the skin.

Step by Step Description
The head:
Touch the forehead, temples and the base of the cranium
Eyebrows and eyelids Nose Cheeks
The area around the mouth
Ears and surrounding area Jaws:
The frontal part of the neck
(Remember doing this very gently)
Make small strokes and massage the posterior part of the neck with slow movements down to the shoulders.

Softly put both hands on his/her shoulders. Caress the baby from the neck to the shoulders in the direction of his chest.

Shoulders and arms:
Form a ring with your fingers and thumb around your child's arm. Begin to caress around the armpit and then go down along the arm. Be very careful when you arrive at the elbow, it is a very sensitive region. In the wrist you can gently practice turning motions using. Remember to take great care with all these motions.

Stomach:
Massage the stomach in a circular way (the genitalia area is excluded from the massage). Caress the abdomen moving your hands clockwise beginning below the ribs.
Legs:

Caress each leg with your whole hand, press gently on the thighs. Slightly flex the legs and knees pressing the thighs gently against the body.
Heels and feet:

A foot massage is very relaxing. Begin by putting a soft pressure on each toe, then the foot and return to the toes again. Sometimes a foot massage can help reduce stomach pain. Caress gently all the toes. Apply circular movements at the heels.


Back:
Turn your baby around.
Begin with large and slow movements that include head, neck, back and legs always in one direction.
Give your baby soft strokes on the shoulders and back and massaging with your fingertips with circular movements. Do not massage the spinal cord, only put your hands over it and let the baby feel the warm sensation. You can even make small circular movements on your baby's back.
Put your hands at the top of the legs and begin gently caressing while working your way down towards the foot.

When you arrive to the feet start again from the top. With soft and slow movements finish the massage starting once again at the head and back to the toes

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