Why Babies Love Massage
Baby massage is fast becoming popular with parents, therapists and babies themselves! So much more than just administering a massage to a baby, baby massage is as much about communication, bonding and trust as it is about relaxation and soothing touch.
There are many good reasons why babies love massage. Many parents vouch that their little one becomes more relaxed and content as massage is performed. Many babies respond wonderfully well to massage and while many parents do use a baby massage oil to enhance the experience, baby massage can be done with absolutely no aids or equipment.
One of the most significant reasons why babies love massage is because particular strokes and exercises can have a very positive impact in relieving physical ailments. There are particular strokes that can help to alleviate a congested nose and others that can help to relieve stomach pains. Many parents and practitioners testify to the digestive benefits that can come from massage and of course, it is a relief for babies when constipation is overcome.
Babies love routines and when baby massage is embedded within the daily routines and structure that your little one comes to know and expect, this can have a tremendously positive effect. For example, some babies associate a massage with the beginning of the day and that pleasant, quiet time they have, quietly looking around the room following a good sleep. Some babies associate massage with the time to relax and/or enjoy special time with their parent(s).
The touch of a parent can be incredibly comforting and enjoyable for a baby. A sense of security can be instilled through regular massage and the familiar touch of a parent can certainly help a baby to calm down and settle from wind pain.
Massage can begin from birth and there is some research to show that massage is most effective in the first few months of life. The reason for this is primarily because very young babies are more inclined to keep still than active toddlers! It is not uncommon for babies to begin to be massaged from as young as just a few days of age and some babies even at this tender young age show a very positive response to the massage administered.
There is substantial evidence that shows that regular baby massage significantly strengthens the bonds that are created between parents and children. In addition, the medical benefits of massage for babies are becoming more widely known and understood – massage has been shown to help relieve colic and other complaints.
Sleep is also something that the parents of babies quickly become very concerned with. Some research suggests that baby massage can help babies to not only fall asleep, but also to stay asleep and self soothe if they do wake.
As baby massage grows in popularity, much research is being done to ascertain the benefits of massage for an infant’s psychological, physical and emotional development. While more scientific study will be useful to prove the connection between massage and these aspects of development, numerous parents, practitioners and clinicians have long espoused the multi-faceted benefits of baby massage.
Perhaps the most significant reason why babies love massage is because it is fun. The enjoyment of the baby is often completely apparent and in many cases, parents speak of the way that massaging their baby is fun for them. It is always lovely for parents and children to share mutually enjoyable experiences.
Just as adults enjoy receiving massages, many babies clearly show their appreciation of massage. Increasingly recognised for delivering a host of physical and emotional benefits, baby massage can help to settle and relax a baby as well as relieve them of a range of physical complaints.