5 reasons why your baby should be massaged

Why should babies be massaged by their parents or close caregiver? Here are 5 wonderful reasons why...

1. Promotes relaxation (and not just for bubs!) - massaging your baby releases the 'feel-good' hormones oxytocin and endorphins and also reduces stress hormones. Research has discovered that it is not just the person receiving massage who feels these benefits; the person giving the massage is also said to benefit

2. Strengthens the bond between parent and newborn - bonding and forming close attachments to your newborn may take time and does not always happen in the days following birth. For example, if you have had a difficult or long and stressful labour or given birth to a premature baby, this may effect the bonding process. Learning to massage your baby by a qualifed infant massage instructor, (in Perth, Western Australia, Natalie Garmson is a certified infant massage instructor and mother of 2 boys) is essential if you want to learn how to confidently apply the right amount of pressure, rate and rhythm of each massage stroke to your baby. Massaging your baby is a special one to one time; a time when you will further understand your baby's body language (or non-verbal cues) through your gentle, nurturing touch.

3. Assists with relieving colic and wind - many parents (I am one of them) have experienced a 'colicky' baby or a baby who has bad wind. They may cry for extended periods, sometimes hours on end or pull their legs up towards their abdomen, crying in pain. Through attending a parent-infant massage course (for example, the 4 session parent-infant massage course Idibidi Kids offers), you will learn the colic massage sequence (or colic massage technique). Massage is particularly useful on the abdomen but must be performed correctly (note: massage strokes must always be done in a clockwise direction).

4. Improves babies sleep - regular massage on a daily basis will assist with regulating your baby's sleep patterns and increase their deep sleep, particularly during the night. This is due to massage releasing the sleep hormone serotonin and regulate melatonin (massage being a form of positive, nurturing touch). Massage is a wonderful addition to your daily routine and takes as little as 10 minutes! Even better, your baby will love you for it.

5. Great for keeping your baby flexible - during the 4 session course with Idibidi Kids Massage, you will learn how to do lymphatic exercises with your baby. These are useful for maintaining your baby's flexibility, but more importantly assists the communication process of the right and left hemispheres of your baby's brain. Lymphatic exercises also improve circulation of the lymphatic system (the 'waste removal' system of the body).

Post by: Natalie Garmson, Owner/Instructor of Idibidi Kids Massage