Baby Massage: What Are its Benefits? What Can You Try?
First-time parents or anyone taking care of a lovely newborn wants to nurture them in every way possible. Is there a method to both nurture and bond with your baby? There is! Massaging babies has many positive benefits, including enhanced interaction and reduced crying spells. Find out more about the benefits of massaging your baby and the types of massage available to them.
A super brief history of massage
Despite their recent popularity, baby massages are nothing new. Parents have been massaging their little ones for centuries. The history of baby massage dates back thousands of years to China in about 2700 BC. Egyptians were the pioneers of reflexology — their tomb drawings showed massage therapy as early as 2500 BC.
India had the first known written massage therapy traditions around 1500 BC, though the practice may have originated earlier. In Europe, the “Swedish Movement System” was developed at the beginning of the 19th century. Nowadays, many parents know that massaging their little ones has many physical and emotional benefits.
5 benefits of baby massage
Baby massage can promote optimal development and many benefits for years to come. What’s more, it can enhance your role as a parent and strengthen family bonds. So, what are the benefits of baby massage? Here are five of them:
- Stimulation of bodily systems
First and foremost, massage stimulates all body systems. That includes the digestive, circulatory, lymphatic, immune, hormonal, and nervous systems. What’s more, it nurtures brain development and muscular development. For instance, massage stimulates the circulatory system by increasing the blood supply traveling around your baby’s body. This brings fresh nutrients into cells and removes waste, keeping the body healthy and ready for action.
- Decreasing tensions and promoting relaxation
Massage stimulates nerves and sensory receptors. This slows down bodily activity. More specifically, it reduces the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and decreases the amount of sweat. What’s more, it helps to increase babies’ oxytocin. Translation: it acts as a natural stress buster. Deep relaxation is also excellent because it promotes deep and restful sleep for your baby.
- Balancing behavioral states
Studies show that massaging a baby can reduce excessive crying and irritability. It can also reduce wail-inducers like colic and intestinal difficulties. So you’ll have a serene and good-humored baby.
- Deeper bonding
Massaging your baby gives you quality time where you can both feel relaxed. During each massage session, you will establish your own intimate communication: the eye to eye contact, the nurturing touch, the gentleness of the voice, and learning to listen to each other. Slowly, you will become more aware of your baby’s cues — their physical and emotional needs. And, with this understanding, you will be able to address these needs better and sooner.
- Support with postpartum depression
Maternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a common condition after childbirth. It’s a risk factor for low-quality mother-infant interaction. In addition to receiving professional counseling and care, mothers can try massaging their babies. Studies have shown that attending a massage class can help mothers bond more with their baby. While the exact reason why isn’t so clear, researchers believe that massage releases oxytocin and enables mothers to understand their baby’s subtle cues.
Types of baby massage
There are dozens of massage types out there, each with its own unique characteristics. Most of them are only beneficial for adults, while infant massage is mostly based on the Swedish method. So, what are the best options for your bundle of joy?
Swedish massage
The Swedish massage is the most popular style of massage therapy. It includes five basic strokes and styles:
- sliding and gliding,
- kneading,
- rhythmic tapping,
- friction (with fibers or cross-fibers),
- and vibration/shaking.
Swedish massage mostly helps alleviate joint stiffness, pain reduction, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, and stress management or reduction.
Reflexology
Reflexology is based on the theory that there are lots of nerve endings in the foot that correspond with the body’s organs. A gentle and relaxing massage on a baby’s foot using thumbs and fingertips can settle a fractious baby, helping them relax, fall asleep, and relieve colic.
According to reflexology, the toes connect to the head and teeth. So massaging their little toes may help with teething.
The most powerful technique is simply holding the palm of your hand against the sole of your baby’s foot and breathing deeply and slowly. This has a grounding effect which helps your baby feel calmer. Massaging the tips of each toe or using circular movements on the pads of the foot and heel area are equally soothing and calming.
Acupuncture
You may be thinking, “Acupuncture for my baby? Are you insane?” Yet, acupuncture may have positive benefits for your baby. Just make sure to consult your pediatrician before trying this technique.
Acupuncture is a trigger point massage therapy that uses needles. It’s commonly used for pain relief. A baby can receive acupuncture treatments from birth and continue getting them throughout childhood.
The younger the child, the shorter the treatment. The needles are very fine and they are inserted with very little pain. The feeling is comparable to a mosquito bite. Until the age of one, children rarely notice needles and feel little pain. Once they get older and are aware of what’s going on, they may be a little more fearful. However, with a gentle explanation, they should come around.
Risks
Sadly, baby massage is not for everyone. Don’t massage your baby if any of the following conditions apply:
- your baby is premature and under one kilogram;
- they have a fever of 38.3 degrees Celsius, and above;
- they suffer from heart disease;
- their belly button has not healed;
- they suffer from any systemic skin infections, especially in the acute stage;
- they have cancer or any undiagnosed lumps;
- they have any fractures, bleeding, burns, or other acute injuries;
- they have kidney disease;
- they’ve recently had surgery;
- and, most importantly, don’t try a massage if your baby isn’t in the mood for it.
In addition, you shouldn’t massage your baby if they have:
- open sores,
- sickness,
- less than seventy-two hours after immunization,
- diarrhea,
- inflammation,
- contagious disease,
- meningitis,
- recent hemorrhage,
- varicose veins,
- and childhood leukemia.
Even if none of these conditions apply, you should always get the green light from your pediatrician before trying to massage your baby.
Before you go…
Baby massage can be an excellent way to support your baby’s development. If you would like to learn about more techniques to help your baby sleep, check out Beginning.com’s Baby’s Health library catalog. There, you can find plenty of other useful suggestions to help promote a better night’s sleep for both you and your baby. Only at Beginning.com!