The benefits of baby massage
Did you know baby massage is as good for your soul as it is for your newborn baby’s? Here’s how you can soothe and connect with your baby.
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Massaging your baby is a really lovely way for you and your baby to connect and unwind. You don’t have to be a pro, or do anything fancy (though we have some tips below for some helpful strokes), just taking a few minutes to stop and soothe has huge benefits.
Baby massage helps both you and your baby to relax, and can encourage baby to sleep better too.
Studies show that baby massage stimulate muscles, bones and organ systems so that they can function optimally, increase body weight and growth, increase endurance and baby concentration. It also helps make babies sleep soundly, fosters bonds of affection for parents and children and increase milk production. (1)
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‘One of the biggest benefits of baby massage is an increase in oxytocin for the parent and the child. The closeness and warmth of loving touch helps to relax the baby and aids in bonding with the parent. This can in turn help to reduce stress and crying in the infant which also helps the parent to relax. Baby massage techniques can be applied to help move wind and constipation through the body and therefore provide the baby relief from that discomfort’, says Peta Arthurson, Certified Infant Massage Instructor and owner of Beaches Baby on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
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What to use when you massage your baby? Peta suggests cold pressed organic oils like almond, sesame and apricot should be used. ‘They should be edible, in case it gets the babies hands, pesticide free and not contain any essential oils as these can be too strong for babies and also interrupt the smell of the baby and parent together which is also crucial to bonding and breastfeeding. Patch testing should occur for allergic reactions, before opening using on the baby’s body’, she explains.
When is a good time to massage your baby? Anytime – even a quick leg or tummy massage on the floor is lovely. Make sure your hands aren’t slippery when you pick them up afterwards. Peta says babies should be in an open, relaxed and ready state for massage, though. ‘They should not have just been fed, be too tired or be over stimulation. Parents should start very slowly, building up the amount of massage and stop at any sign of disinterest or distress’.
Click here for a step by step how-to massage to try with your baby, with pictures from RaisingChildren.net.au
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Peta is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor and own Beaches Baby on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Peta runs a 2-week 90min baby massage class as well as 4-week private Mothers Group sessions which covers baby massage, tummy time, developmental play and support group discussions.