Nurturing Touch in the NICU and beyond: a Guide for Parents and Caregivers

An article I wrote for the L'il Aussie Prems website on the importance of parents in providing positive, nurturing touch for their premature baby in the NICU and beyond.

Positive, nurturing touch is important in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) as premature babies often experience negative, painful touch by way of medical treatments. For an infant to interact socially, they must first be able to control their autonomic motor and behavioural state systems. Tactile support such as nurturing touch can help your baby to settle. Factors such as the environment, type and level of procedures along with the infants maturity will affect their ability to cope with stimulation. Environment can include noise from equipment, monitor alarms and other babies crying. The overall aim of positive, nurturing touch in the NICU is to reduce tactile sensitivity, to encourage bonding and attachment, to provide a pleasurable positive touch experience, to facilitate a positive interaction between parent and child, and to encourage an improved range of motion and relaxation for baby....

For the full article, please view the L'il Aussie Prems blog http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/blogs/ and the article at

http://www.lilaussieprems.com.au/blogs/2009/11/nurturing-touch-in-the-nicu-and-beyond-for-parents-and-caregivers/

The founder of Lil' Aussie Prems website, Julia Toivonen, and her response after she read my article...

"I know when my premmie was in hospital I wasn't sure what the correct way to touch him was, being that he was so small... but as time went on I learnt that touch and talking to him was the best thing that I could do!" She also said "It is a real topic that I think parents need direction with. I cannot thank you enough for writing this (article), I really appreciate your help and support".

Many thanks to Julia for the privilege of contributing to her wonderful website!

Children with ADHD & ADD and Massage

Do you have a child with ADHD/ADD?

As a parent or carer of an ADHD/ADD child, do you massage your child and have noticed any improvement or perceived benefits?

a)I am currently researching into the benefits of the parent/carer massaging their child with ADD/ADHD, combining this with research studies to write an article/research paper. I would like to document the benefits in particular that parents/carers have noticed.

b) Would you like to learn how to massage your child? If you have a child with ADHD/ADD, Natalie invites you participate in a 4 session parent-child massage course.

Please contact Natalie 0411615641 or email natalie@idibidikids.com.au

Your privacy is respected, your real names/child's name will not be published.

Here is an excerpt from Massagetherapy.com commenting on the Touch Research Institute's findings of massage for ADHD children

http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/TRIResearch/massageres.htm

Massage for ADHDTwo recent studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami reported that regular massage therapy can be an effective treatment for kids with ADHD. One study found adolescent boys who received ten 15-minute daily massages were observed by their teachers to be more focused in their schoolwork, and they fidgeted less. In addition, the children rated themselves as happier than those who participated in a relaxation therapy program.

Another study involved kids aged 7-18, 20 percent of whom were girls. Each subject received a 20-minute massage twice a week. They showed immediate improvement in their moods and longer-term behavioral improvement in the classroom. They also reported feeling happier and their teachers found them to be more attentive.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Field, T., Quintino, O., Hernandez-Reif, M. & Koslovsky, G. (1998). Adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder benefit from massage therapy. Adolescence, 33, 103-108.

METHOD: Twenty-eight adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were provided either massage therapy or relaxation therapy for 10 consecutive school days. RESULTS: The massage therapy group, but not the relaxation therapy group, rated themselves as happier and observers rated them as fidgeting less following the sessions. After the 2-week period, their teachers reported more time on task and assigned them lower hyperactivity scores based on classroom behavior.

__________

Khilnani, S., Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., & Schanberg, S. (2003). Massage therapy improves mood and behavior of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Adolescence, 38, 623-38.

METHOD: The present study involved 30 children and adolescents between the ages of 7 and 18 (M = 13) diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The children were randomly assigned to a wait-list control and a massage group. The latter group received massage therapy for 20 minutes twice per week over the course of one month. RESULTS: Mood state improved for the massage but not the control group based on smiley face and thermometer scales. The massage group also improved in classroom behavior in the areas of the Conners Teacher Rating Scales on anxiety, daydreaming and hyperactivity. The wait-list control group did not show these gains. In sum, the results revealed that massage therapy benefited children and adolescents with ADHD by improving short-term mood state and longer-term classroom behavior.

How is massage able to assist your child with ADHD/ADD?

Research shows that massage may help your child:

• improve concentration and ability to remain focussed

• calmer disposition

• reduce stress in the body

• improve classroom behaviour

by calming the nervous system and reducing the stress hormone 'cortisol'.

A little about myself:

Natalie is the West Australian state rep. for the International Assoc of Infant Massage (IAIM), certified infant massage instructor, massage in schools instructor, mum of 2 boys, researcher and avid reader. Her background is predominantly in science and R&D (research and development). Natalie has obtained an Assoc. Dip Science, Cert I Aromatherapy and is currently studying a Child Psychology module.

She is passionate about teaching infant and kids massage to parents and caregivers and raising awareness of the benefits of massage for children. Natalie lives in the northern suburbs of Perth, West Australia. Natalie's website is www.idibidikids.com.au

Christmas Gift Packages

GIFT PACKAGE 1:

The Ultimate Christmas Gift Package/Gift Certificate, especially for the new parents, includes:

1 x Infant Massage Parent-Baby course

1 x Postnatal Massage for Mum

1 x Goodnight Lullabies CD

1 x Organic Baby Massage oil

1 x Little Innoscents Baby Powder (talc free)

Price $295

Total value $365, thats a saving of $70!!

A lovely Christmas present for the whole family, mum, dad and bubs!

Why choose Idibidi Kids Gift Vouchers?

• A thoughtful present for the whole family

• Infant massage is a lifetime skill and practical parenting tool, what an investment!

• Great Christmas savings

• Idibidi Kids will come to you!

• Wonderful testimonials from satisfied parents and caregivers

SLEEPING BABY = HAPPY BABY = HAPPY PARENTS !!

The Ultimate Christmas Package 2009 is for a limited time only, available till stocks last...

So if you know someone special who has just welcomed a little bundle of joy into their lives, be it your wife, husband, partner, boyfriend, friend, family... the list goes on...

Phone Natalie 0411615641

Visit www.idibidikids.com.au/giftcertificate

Payment: Credit card, direct bank deposit or money order

Perth, West Australia