Relaxes your baby and improves baby's sleep. Loving touch lessens tension, fussiness, and irritability. Plus baby massage can provide relief from gas and colic. Massage for Colic.
Enhances bonding with your baby. Touch conveys nurturing and love, the essential ingredients for emotional and physical growth and well being.
Aids the growth and development of your baby. Studies have shown increased weight gain, immune function, and myelination of nerves. These things are needed for brain and muscle development.
Promotes communication with your baby. You become more aware of baby's nonverbal cues.
Baby Massage Research
The Touch Research Institute has done numerous studies that show the benefits of baby massage. Here's a sampling:
Sleep Disturbances in Infants: Infants who received massage experienced less difficulty falling asleep and better sleep patterns. (Early Child Development and Care, 168, 95-104.)
Preterm Newborns Gain More Weight: Preterm infants gained 47% more weight, became more responsive, and were discharged six days earlier at a hospital cost savings of $10,000 per infant. Eight months later they were still showing an advantage on weight, mental and motor development. (Pediatrics, 77, 654-658.)
Cocaine Exposed Newborns: The massaged newborns gained more weight, performed better on the Brazelton Newborn Scale (particularly on the motor scale), and had fewer postnatal complications and stress behaviors. (Pediatrics, 97, 851-855.)
HIV Exposed Newborns: The massaged newborns showed increased weight gain and improved performance on the Brazelton Newborn Scale. (Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22, 105-112.)
Some authorities beleive that many problems in early childhood, including hyperactivity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, may be the result of stress during birth. Craniosacral Therapy for Babies and Small Children presents an alternative treatment for these stress-related problems.
presents an alternative treatment for these stress-related problems.
