What do we mean?

Massage for babies and toddlers is the touch used in an appropriate manner at times to encourage healthy development, growth and to soothe discomfort. The touch used in this massage technique is light and gentle, which is all that is necessary to help restore a natural healing state.

Massage not only relieves distress. Massage brings the profound power of touch into the vital role of enriching the lives of both baby and parent or carer.

Massage is the art of using touch techniques to promote relaxation, circulation and suppleness. Using the sensitivity of ones hands this form of contact and closeness allows for a deeper understanding to develop.

The power of touch is underestimated in the well being and welfare of all. It is known that babies who are not touched often do not thrive.

The benefits of massage to babies, toddlers and children

The benefits of massage for babies and children are wide reaching. Just as most babies and children love being held and cuddled for the sense of comfort it gives them, the gentle touch of massage brings a special and deep level of contact and a sense of calm and relief.

Many new mothers and fathers are rather shaken by the demands of a new born baby – the crying, the sleepless nights and the change of familiar routine can cause ragged nerves and feelings of helplessness. Bonding with a newborn is not always a natural consequence, it may be a process to be worked on. This is a new relationship and as with all relationships it is just as challenging as many others are, if not more so. After all, this new person has no words, only sounds, and some of them are pretty awesome as they scream their hearts (and lungs) out in the middle of the night.

Once a routine of massage is established, it becomes part of the trusting process to grow between the parent and baby and helps the development of feelings of security. The time put aside for massage is a time of total attention, a time for the focus to be on love.

A baby needs to be handled at all times with love and sensitivity, the same premise remains true for the massage. It may well be that massage at an early age can help with teenage body consciousness. If children are encouraged to be aware of their bodies and to benefit from massage, they may not suffer as much teenage angst, particularly about their body image. Teenage feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment and shyness can lead to physiological difficulties.

Nowadays homes are busy places where time vanishes and stress rises as the number of activities going on increases. Worries, difficulties and problems at work get carried home and before we know it the outbreak of stress gets out of hand. Babies and small children are not immune to stress: theirs and ours. A regular massage routine can help reduce stress in the giver and receiver. As stress is reduced in the body, circulation is improved and consequently, lymph drainage.

The emotional and physical benefits of massage will go hand in hand no matter when you introduce massage into a family. Obviously if a baby receives massage early on they will accept that it comes with love, and that brings feelings of comfort, trust, enjoyment and security with it. Older children, however, will also benefit as their parent has brought a therapeutic skill into the some for their benefit.

The emotional benefits of massage to babies and children are profound. Receiving massage helps them to develop a deeper level of self worth, to value themselves because of the attention given and to love themselves as they are. As they grow older they have a greater awareness and understanding of their bodies, thus have little or no reason for embarrassment.

In itself this leads to greater self-confidence and helps them in their relationships with others.

The aim of most parents is to bring up a child to be happy, healthy and secure within themselves. Massage can help this process because it brings closeness and understanding on a deeper level and enhances the relationship, which already exists.

The physical benefits of massage are plentiful

By relaxing and toning all the muscles involved in breathing, massage affects the lungs and the cardio respiratory system. Breathing becomes deeper, slower and more rhythmical and the baby is often seen to take on the mothers breathing pattern and the rhythm of the heartbeat in a process known as kinaesthetic sensing. This process shows just how powerful the interactive and bonding mechanisms of massage can be.

Massage using oil improves the texture of the skin by nourishing it. Massage can help to reduce some skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and later acne. * Don’t massage broken skin. *

Massage relaxes the baby and may, therefore, lengthen the duration of sleep. After massage the sleep is usually very deep and can last several hours.

The digestive system is also stimulated by massage. Light massage to the abdomen may help relieve colic and constipation.

Massage is excellent for the nervous system because nerve endings are just below the skin surface. Massage alerts the brain through the nervous system to produce endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers.
Massage improves circulation and acts as a form of exercise (although passive). This in turn stimulates lymphatic circulation. It improves mobility and promotes correct posture.

Baby massage has a significant effect on breastfeeding. Studies have also shown that massage improves breastfeeding and the suckling effect.

Premature Babies

Research has been done on weight gain.

Babies who were being stroked regularly gained 50% more weight daily. Their calorific intake was the same.

Research also shows they also develop their suckling reflex quicker – so premature babies can go home earlier. (Studies in America showed that £3,000 per baby was being saved.)

Bonding

“Bonding is: love, security, connection, acceptance, peace, caring, happiness, interaction, empathy, unity, warmth, joy, communication, familiarity.”

“Bonding may be experienced through eye contact, touch, smell, taste and listening.”

“Bonding is a unique relationship between two people. It is specific and endures through time.”