Colic is characterised by bouts of extreme crying in otherwise healthy infants three months old and under. There is usually no specific underlying cause.

The study involved 100 babies who had been referred for help with colic, between 1 and 2 weeks of age.  The mothers were assigned to one group who used massage or a second group who held and rocked their babies. In the massage group, mothers were asked to massage their child three times per day over a period of 7 days. In the rocking group mothers rocked their child during the periods of crying every day over 7 days. In both groups mothers recorded the duration of their infant’s cries by using a checklist.

In the massage group the average crying time and duration of crying for infants was more at the start of the week than in the rocking group. However by the end of the week the results showed a mean difference in crying time duration reduce to 1.32 hours/day in the massage group compared to 2.14 hours/day in the rocking group. There was also a more significant reduction in the times per day a baby cried in the massage group than in the rocking group.

The researchers therefore concluded that infant massage not only reduces how many times a baby cries and duration of crying in infants with colic but can also enhance the relationship between mother and child.

Source:

Gazerani, N., Nahidi, F., Yousefi, P., & Abadi, R. (2012). The effect of infant massage in comparison with rocking on the duration and frequency of crying time in patients with infantile colic. Arak Medical University Journal. 15 (60), 9 -103.

Infant massage more effective than rocking for relieving colic: study is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

There are few things more stressful for a parent than a distressed baby that will not stop crying. When a baby is upset and screaming, it can be hard to believe that their crying is perfectly normal; in fact, many frazzled parents automatically assume that crying is always a sign that something is very wrong with their baby.

However, the reality is that all babies cry and frequent and lengthy bouts of crying characterise the behaviour of some babies. Because babies have no way to tell us what they want or what is wrong, they cry in order to draw our attention and let us know that they need something. As many parents get to know their baby better, they more quickly realise the different cries of their baby and what each one means.

Reasons why babies cry

In order to cope with a crying baby, it can be immensely helpful to understand some of the main reasons why they cry. Babies tend to cry because:

• They are hungry
• Their nappy is dirty or wet
• They are tired (or over-tired)
• They are frustrated
• They are over-stimulated
• They are experiencing pain from teething or wind

What can you do?

On occasions, it can seem as if absolutely nothing will pacify your baby and stop them from crying. These occasions provide huge amounts of anxiety for parents — particularly first-time parents — who may worry that something is seriously wrong with their baby or believe that they will never calm down or be consoled.

Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to help to settle your baby:

• Allow your baby to feed or suckle (if breastfed) or try giving your baby a dummy. Being able to suck their own thumbs or fingers is soothing for some babies.
• Holding your baby and using rocking, swaying or otherwise rhythmic movements can help your baby to settle, as can talking and singing. Your baby grew familiar with your voice while in the womb and it is amazing how often a baby will be calmed just by hearing your voice.
• Cuddling and stroking your baby can have a very positive effect. More and more, people realise the amazing benefits of infant massage. While it may not be the right time to administer a massage when your baby is hysterical, regular baby massage (particularly using a gentle and natural baby massage oil) can be a wonderful bonding experience and soothing and relaxing for a baby, to the extent that it prevents them from reaching the point of incredible distress.
• Many babies enjoy motion. Taking your baby for a walk, rocking them in a pram or going for a drive can help to calm your baby down.
• Depending on the age of the baby, distracting them with things to look at or listen to can sometimes be effective. Music, a toy such as a rattle or a mobile above the cot can work well.
• Water can be very soothing to some babies and many of them love the bath. A warm bath can therefore be gentle and have a calming, nurturing effect for a baby that is distressed.

Medical reasons

There is no denying that some babies cry because there is a physical problem. Some parents notice that their baby consistently cries at a particular time and comforting them is subsequently very difficult. If this is the case, it could be trapped wind, colic, reflux or another medical problem that is upsetting your baby and perhaps even causing pain and discomfort. It is important to seek the advice of a health professional when this is the case — if nothing else, you are bound to feel reassured by the advice and guidance of a professional.

On many occasions, quite straightforward strategies can be offered to address such problems. For example, baby massage is a frequently and effectively used practice to assist babies with colic and trapped wind.

The reasons for a baby crying can often be a mystery. Sometimes it can feel as if nothing will pacify a distressed baby, and on occasions it can be very difficult to trust that, more often than not, a baby’s cries are completely normal and do not mean that anything serious is wrong.

Tips for Coping with a Crying Baby is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

There is no guide book or instruction manual that is given to you when you enter the exciting, wonderful but also very challenging world of motherhood. It seems true that every child is different and that just when the mothers feel that they have mastered routines and understood their child’s specific needs, these routines and needs change.

Motherhood brings moments of unparalleled joy and love so great that you may have never before recognised as possible. It is also a time of incredible learning and adjustment as your own life changes markedly and your child’s world becomes your world.

With these things in mind, it can be very helpful to have some tips from women who have ‘been there’ before you. Of course, there is no prescriptive treatment or ‘cure all’ response that provides an answer to every challenge or query that a Mum’s face. However, the following tips from experienced mothers are likely to help:

1:  Baby massage works!

One of the best and most proven ways to settle and relax a baby is with infant massage. By learning a range of infant massage techniques, mothers are well equipped to deliver a massage that is soothing and nurturing for their baby and so it is always worthwhile to undertake an infant massage course through a quality training provider.

Many experienced Mums have successfully incorporated baby massage into their daily routines and have found that few minutes that are devoted to gentle and loving touch is time well spent. In fact, many Mums vouch for the fact that infant massage is often most effective when done in the middle of the day, but Mums and their babies need to work out a time and place that suits them best.

A number of experienced mothers who recommend baby massage also recommend the use of baby massage oil. Any oil should be tested on a very small area of the baby’s skin to ensure that no irritation or reaction occurs, but in most cases, baby massage oil helps create an enjoyable and relaxing experience, for mother and child.

2:  Tantrums

When sweet little babies become toddlers, the world of tantrums can begin. Suddenly a mild mannered, innocent and very placid child can become an absolute handful, creating a scene and behaving quite uncontrollably. Not only can this be quite embarrassing for Mum, it is almost always very frustrating.

Unfortunately, there is no one approach fixes all remedy for tantrums. Some mothers recommend ignoring the behaviour and even walking away from the child (while staying close enough to ensure their safety) this however is only likely to cause further distress for the child and is not recommend. Other Mums have had some success by removing the child from the situation and later, when their child has calmed down, discuss, explain and name the feeling as frustration, anger or disappointment. These situations can present a good opportunity for the child learn about their own emotions and how they can cope with these kinds of feelings.

Regardless of the approach that you use, it is important to remember that this behaviour won’t last forever and is quite common for many toddlers.

3:  Take the time to enjoy your child

As so many experienced Mums will agree, childhood is fleeting. While it can feel as though it will take forever for your little one to progress from babyhood, suddenly they are at school and before too long, they are a teenager.

Above all else, take the time to enjoy your baby or older child and realise that the moments spent playing and cuddling are never wasted time; to the contrary, these are some of the most precious moments of childhood and parenthood.

Every mother makes her own decisions and is guided by instinct when it comes to her baby and their needs, but sometimes the tips of experienced Mums can be reassuring and helpful. Certainly, these tips can at least give all mothers some ideas of great things to do with their children.

3 Tips from Experienced Mums is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

In order to soothe and comfort their babies, many parents search for effective baby relaxation techniques. The good news is that there is a variety of relaxation techniques which can be enjoyed and are beneficial to both babies and their parents.

Here we take a look at three of these relaxation techniques:

1:  Baby massage

There is abundant evidence to show the positive benefits of touch for bonding and attachment and, more particularly, baby massage offers a very effective way for touch to be imparted.

Parents can undertake infant massage courses in order to learn the most nurturing and correct infant massage techniques and acquire knowledge to help them understand how infant massage directly benefits their baby. Infant massage is also known to provide a range of significant benefits for parents and when a parent learns how to massage their baby, they will readily appreciate and understand the ways that they too are positively influenced.

Infant massage instruction, delivered by a qualified and highly skilled facilitator, increases the confidence of parents and equips them with a repertoire of strokes and techniques to soothe and relax their baby. At classes, parents will also learn about baby massage oil and how it can be used to enhance the effects and experience of massage. At classes, it is emphasised that baby massage oil should only be used if it is safe for the baby and the correct tests are done to show that the baby does not have a reaction to it.

2:  Music

Music has long been recognised as wonderful way to introduce and familiarise babies with the world’s sights and sounds. Some people even argue that certain types of music (such as classical music) can make a baby more intelligent.

Numerous parents agree that music is definitely effective in helping to calm a baby down and help them to relax and prepare for sleep time. Babies love to hear their parents’ voices and increasingly become familiar with particular tunes and words.

As a general rule, any type of music that you find relaxing will also relax your baby. Collections of music by composers such as Bach or Mozart can be effectively used at bedtime and achieve a relaxing and calming effect. Harp music can have an incredibly peaceful effect on babies and musicians such as Enya also tend to be enjoyed by little ones (and adults!).

Of course, when your baby is awake and you want their senses to be stimulated and their minds entertained, nursery rhymes and specific music for kids will fit the bill. In fact, much of this music will also encourage toddlers to move around, do actions and even dance.

For parents striving for ways to help their newborn to sleep, playing some form of white noise, such as a fan, the sound of an ocean or rain, can help to block out other noise and send them to sleep.

3:  Bathing

Bath time is a special time of the day and one that readily allows a baby to bond with his or her parents. It is during a bath that play, talking and singing most often occurs.

Babies tend to love being in water and this in itself can help to soothe and relax them. Bath time is also a most significant part of the end of day routine for many babies. Having a bath at the end of the day signals to a baby that the day is coming to an end and sleep time is approaching.

There are many effective techniques for settling, soothing and relaxing a baby and infant massage, music and bathing are undoubtedly three of the most popular and successful.

3 Relaxation Techniques to Which Babies Respond is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

Awareness of the benefits of baby massage is growing and although most people have a general idea of what the practice entails, they are not always confident that it is right for them or their baby. It then follows that there are a number of questions that are most commonly asked about baby massage and here we present five of these questions with their answers.

1:  At what age should I start to massage my baby?

There really are no rules about when to begin massaging your baby. A baby can be massaged from birth and there is an emerging body of evidence to show the positive results that can occur when children are massaged from very early in life.

It is also well understood that the power of touch and gentle massage delivers a positive effect for premature babies.

The best advice is to undertake your baby massage training when both you and your baby are ready.

2:  What oil should I use to massage my baby?

Baby massage oil is an important element of a wonderful baby massage. Quality baby massage oils can be purchased from a range of places, but a cold pressed, organic oil that is free from essential oils works well. Cold pressed, organic sesame oil, sweet almond oil or apricot kernel oil make good massage oils but parents should always be mindful of their baby’s skin being able to breathe and signs of allergies appearing.

Prior to lathering your baby in any massage oil, test the oil on a small patch of skin first.

3:  At what time should I massage my baby?

You will be the best judge of the best time to massage your baby. After a nap, when babies are typically quiet and alert is often an optimal time as they are often content to look around and are relatively content.

Following a feed, can still be a good time to massage if this is when your baby is most content, but it is vital to avoid abdominal massage following a feed and avoid lying your baby on their tummy for back massage following a feed.

While massage can have a relaxing effect, keep in mind that it is usually not best received when your child is extremely upset. Rather, it is best done when your baby is as calm and as content as possible.

4:  How much pressure should I apply when massaging my baby and how long should a massage last?

Infant massage training is particularly important so that you know and have practiced how hard to press when massaging your baby. Of course, you should not press hard enough to hurt your baby or cause them discomfort and nor is touch that is too light advisable as this often tickles a baby and can be irritating for your child.

Through education, you will know and have practiced the strength of pressure that should be applied; you will therefore feel more confident that your baby will receive the full range of benefits of baby massage.

There is no hard and fast rule regarding the duration of a massage. Be guided by your baby; they will communicate to you when they have had enough, so always be observant of their body language.

5:  Can older children be massaged?

Absolutely! Even if you have not massaged your child as a baby, it is never too late to learn and start. While there are some techniques that most appeal and are most beneficial for babies, these can be modified to best suit older children.

Massage for older children is a great way to open up the channels of communication and it is not uncommon for the precious time in which massage is given to be used to talk about feelings and concerns.

Baby massage has some incredibly important benefits for babies, older children and parents. Undertaking infant massage training is a great way for parents to increase their skills and knowledge of the most effective and nurturing ways to deliver massage for their baby or child.

5 Commonly Asked Questions About Baby Massage is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

Experiencing a tantrum from your baby can be incredibly confronting. In all likelihood, you will not be ready for the screaming, shrieking, stiffening, hitting, kicking and writhing that you may see and it is possible that you will not see this reaction coming from whatever it is that has upset your baby.

Knowing how to respond to a baby or child’s tantrum is not always easy, but here we provide you with a range of tips and strategies for dealing with this behaviour.

#1:  It isn’t you

Possibly the most important thing to keep in mind when your baby is having a tantrum is that the tantrum is not necessarily a reaction to you. Just as importantly, your child’s behaviour is not necessarily an indication that they have a bad temper. Because your child is probably too young to really show a bad temper, the ways that you react when they are an infant, will be quite different to how you may react when they are older.

#2:  Understand tantrums

Knowing that tantrums are a response to a loss of emotional control can help you to understand why your baby has reacted in the way they have. It can be useful to think of a tantrum as part of your baby’s learning; this loss of emotional control is likely to be sudden and abrupt, but your child is learning a lot about their situation and circumstances.

#3:  Identify triggers

While they aren’t always immediately obvious, knowing what has triggered your baby’s tantrum is helpful as you can perhaps then remove these catalysts to prevent future outbursts for the same reason. Also, an appreciation of what has triggered your little one’s tantrum can also give you ideas on how to calm them down.

#4:  Try to prevent tantrums in the first place

Understanding a little about tantrums and what has set your child off in the first place can be helpful information for avoiding future tantrums. While there are sometimes no quick fixes or sure-fire solutions, some of the best ways for maintaining calm and preventing upset include:

• Baby massage: The benefits of baby massage are many and varied. The power of touch is incredible and baby massage has been shown to strengthen the bonds between parent and child. Strokes delivered with the assistance of baby massage oilcan help both child and parent to enjoy a state of calm and enhanced well-being.
• Sleep: Babies are more likely to tantrum if they are overtired and have had insufficient sleep. When your baby displays signs of tiredness, put him or her down for a nap before they pass the point of tiredness and become inconsolable.
• Feeding: Similarly, well-fed babies that are nourished frequently tend to be more content and less likely to tantrum. Babies of course have very small stomachs and therefore need to be fed often.
• Play: Ensuring that your baby has access to age-appropriate toys and activities can also make significant difference. When your baby is able to play with the toys that they have, a tantrum out of frustration is less likely to occur.
• Remain calm: If you are able to stay calm and unflustered, it is likely that this will transmit to your baby. Be patient and as relaxed as possible – many new parents speak of their sense that the baby picks up on their own levels of anxiety and distress.

It can be shocking and distressing to witness your baby having a tantrum. While tantrums are part of learning and growing up for lots of children, the aforementioned strategies are likely to be helpful in preventing and responding to your baby’s tantrums.

4 Tips for Dealing with Baby Tantrums is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

Many parents will agree that there are few things that they want more than their baby drifting off to sleep without fuss or resistance.

Assisting your child to relax and prepare for sleep is rarely easy – little ones commonly protest and behave as though rest is the worst thing that could happen to them. However, it doesn’t have to be quite so difficult as there are a number of things that a parent can try to relax their baby and prepare them for sleep.

What does it take to fall asleep?

As adults, most of us know that trying to sleep when we are preoccupied, wired or over-stimulated simply doesn’t work. The conditions are not right for our minds and bodies to relax and rest. It is the same for babies; the conditions need to be conducive to them going to sleep calmly and comfortably. If an upset baby does finally fall asleep, they will often wake up repeatedly or before long and so it follows that implementing some relaxation techniques for your baby can assist them to fall asleep more easily and sleep more soundly.

Baby massage is one of the best (and most favourably proven) ways to help your baby to relax. Babies pick up on energy and, as you massage your little one, it is likely that you too will experience a sense of calm that your baby will tune into.

Learning how to massage…

In order to provide the most effective massage to your baby, it is highly recommended that you take a baby massage class or course, delivered by a certified baby massage instructor. In this situation you will learn about the safe and effective use of baby massage oil, correct techniques for massage strokes and the most successful combinations of strokes. In addition, learning massage with a certified instructor will help you to learn specific strokes and approaches that can be used to help your baby alleviate symptoms of colic, wind and constipation.

The power of baby massage…

Baby massage is so incredibly powerful because it utilises the power of human touch – specifically the loving and caring touch that parents can impart to their children. Increasingly, evidence shows that babies who are massaged grow to be more confident and secure in childhood and beyond and that massage can help to strengthen the bonds that exist between parent and child. There are few other practices that enable the level of connection that is afforded through baby massage.

Part of the daily routine…

Not only does baby massage deliver physical and emotional benefits, it can be incorporated as part of the daily routine so that it becomes an activity that both parents and children enjoy and look forward to. Separate to the ongoing cycle of feeding, playing and settling, massage marks a different and pleasurable activity for both you and your baby.

Other ways to relax…

Of course, babies cry and can become unsettled for a variety of reasons and sometimes, no apparent reason at all. Quite often, just being held can help to soothe your baby and some gentle words or a comforting song can help them to calm down and relax.

Colic is a common complaint for babies and one that can cause significant pain and discomfort. Baby massage is recognised for its potential to alleviate the symptoms of colic, as is an environment which is calm and relaxed.

Almost all parents actively seek ways to calm their babies and help them to relax. Baby massage is one of the most effective and proven ways to assist your baby to relax and is very often an experience that is mutually enjoyed by babies and their parents.

How to Relax Your Baby is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

The benefits of baby massage are gaining increasing recognition and many parents have some awareness that massage is known for its soothing and calming qualities.

While general awareness of the benefits of baby massage is good, there are many good reasons why baby massage should be learnt and practiced. Here we provide an overview of eight of these reasons:

#1:  Reduces stress…for Mum!

An increasing body of evidence shows that massaging your baby can help to relieve stress and tension and even reduce the effects of post natal depression. The power of massage to have this effect on mothers speaks volumes about its importance and wide reaching benefits.

#2:  Something different in your day

Life with a baby can often seem like an endless and repetitious cycle of feeding, winding, playing and settling. While all of these things are necessary and important, they can quickly suck up the minutes of your day, with all days seeming to blend into one.

However, taking some time in your daily routine for baby massage can provide something different and an activity that both you and your baby will look forward to. Because baby massage is about nurturing and caring for your baby, it can be easily incorporated in your daily routine and can deliver some very positive benefits.

#3:  Develop the connection between parent and baby

Few things are more important to the development of the bond between parent and child than touch. Massage that is delivered through positive touch helps to strengthen these ties and develops the relationship between parent(s) and child in a way that few other practices are able.

It is a popularly held belief that babies who are regularly massaged become confident and well-adjusted children and adolescents. When parents receive training and know how to massage their baby in a way that enhances the child’s enjoyment and relaxation, the results will almost invariably be positive.

In fact, as you massage your baby and experience a sense of calm and peacefulness yourself, your baby is bound to pick up on your state of increased relaxation and tranquillity.

#4:  Range of movement for baby

When you think about it, babies spend a lot of time in their prams and car seats – situations where they are generally curled up tightly and have a restricted range of movement. Through massage and stretching, your baby’s joints will become more flexible and mobile and they will welcome the opportunity to stretch and be less confined.

#5:  Overcome pains associated with colic, wind and digestion

It is well worth receiving massage training to learn how to help your baby alleviate the discomfort that so commonly comes with colic, constipation and wind. Some quite simple massage techniques can be used to reduce the baby’s pain and discomfort and thereby make everyone’s life a lot more comfortable!

#6:  A healthier baby

It is widely believed that when infants are correctly massaged on a regular basis, they are less likely to contract infections and thereby have stronger immune systems. If a baby has a reduced likelihood of picking up colds and other bugs, both baby and the parent(s) will be much happier.

#7:  Improved sleep

When a baby arrives, parents quickly find that they become obsessed with sleep and finding ways to help their baby sleep for longer. Baby massage has the potential to help infants sleep for longer periods and more deeply during the day and at night.

Imagine it, a lovely massage complete with baby massage oil and a parent’s loving, comforting touch and a baby is better settled and prepared for sleep. Many parents testify that massage as part of the night time routine helps to settle babies and children more quickly and easily.

#8:  A useful skill

Receiving baby massage training will provide you with useful skills that you can apply throughout your child’s infancy and well into their childhood.

Baby massage is understandably popular and a well-respected practice for calming and settling babies. With positive benefits for both children and parents, the value of massage training is all the more apparent.

Eight Reasons to Learn Baby Massage is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

Taking care of a newborn is an extremely stressful task for many parents. One of the main reasons for this is that a child’s sleep patterns are erratic. Ideally, you want your baby to sleep for as long as possible during the night, as well as taking naps during the day, but it rarely runs as smoothly as you’d like. Here we look at a few ways to promote restful sleep, from swaddling techniques to using baby massage to decrease stresses.

Introduce consistent nap routines

Choose a couple of times per day when you would ideally like your child to nap — say, for example, 10am and 4pm. When these times roll around, use a ritual, such as rocking and nursing your baby to sleep. If your baby gets used to regular nap routines during the day, he or she is more likely to sleep better at night.

Swaddling technique

By swaddling (wrapping in cloths or blankets) your infant, you are creating a sense of security for your infant to fight against the startle reflex — the natural survival response that results in sudden, jerky movements during sleep. By dressing the baby in loose clothing during wake time and then swaddling when it’s time to sleep, you’re creating a sense of safety and comfort associated with sleep which will make your infant more likely to rest better come nap time.

Use white noise

Repetitive, constant background noise, such as the whirring of a fan, or the humming of a refrigerator, can actually prove calming to your child and, thus, promote restful sleep. The reason is that these sounds remind your baby of the sounds he or she was hearing when in the mother’s womb. There are even CDs or podcasts available that mimic these sounds, providing white noise for your infant to sleep to.

Baby massage

The introduction of baby massage oils and techniques into your infant’s life has many remarkable effects, such as relieving colic (intestinal gas), chest and sinus congestion, and digestive problems such as constipation. If your child is more comfortable as a result, he or she is more likely to sleep better. Additionally, baby massage helps with the release of serotonin, which provides a sense of wellbeing in the child, which also works to promote deeper sleep.

Rocking and nestling

Sometimes your infant needs your presence in order to get to sleep. Techniques such as rocking the baby to sleep, or lying down and nestling the baby at nap time, are often the prudent course.

Reduce day/night confusion

Not only do you want your baby to sleep, but you want your baby to sleep through the night so you can get the best sleep possible in your own right. Unfortunately, may newborns confuse day and night, as when they were in the womb they would sleep while the mother was moving around, and would wake when the mother was still and asleep. To rectify this problem, you need to help your baby adjust by practising sleep techniques such as swaddling and providing white noise during night time, and avoiding these as much as possible during the day.

6 Ways to Ensure Your Baby Sleeps Better is a post from: Baby Massage Tips

While the joys of bringing a child into the world are plentiful, having a baby is also an incredible ordeal for any woman to go through. After nine months of undergoing significant changes to her body, mothers then need to adapt to caring for their newborn child, which is just as tough an ordeal. Sometimes, postnatal depression can result, which is a serious health issue and should be of immediate concern. In this article we’ll look at ways to deal with postnatal depression, from eating nutritiously to practising baby massage techniques.

More than just the baby blues

Up to 80 per cent of mothers experience the ‘baby blues’ in the first 10 days after pregnancy; this often involves crying and a feeling of being overwhelmed. However, a small but still significant percentage — one in six, according to the beyondblue organisation — suffer serious postnatal depression, which can develop one month after childbirth. Postnatal depression could involve disturbed thoughts, hallucinations, and extreme paranoia.

If you feel you’re experiencing postnatal depression, or if you know someone who appears to be showing the signs and symptoms of postnatal depression, it’s important to see a doctor. However, you should also try some of the following:

1. Eat nutritiously

   Good nutrition is very important after childbirth, as the mother needs nourishing for both herself and her child’s benefit. Since your required vitamin and mineral levels are very high during this time, you need to ensure you continue eating well, keeping blood sugar levels stable, increasing your intake of zinc and B vitamins, and reducing sugar and caffeine.

2. Make time for yourself

   As stated, the stresses of being a new parent can often be too much for a mum to deal with without a little bit of help. The father, as well as family and friends, can help relieve the stress on the mother by taking some of the responsibility for the child out of her hands and allowing her to take some time out for herself.

3. Proper exercise

   Exercise is important for mothers after childbirth as they attempt to get their body into the healthy state it was in before pregnancy. The healthier you feel physically, the better-equipped you will be to combat the onset of postnatal depression. However, mothers cannot simply jump back into their usual exercise routine; it should be slow and, preferably, under the watchful eye of a professional. Many clinics offer mums and bubs Pilates classes allowing mothers to perform suitable exercises while also allowing time to nurse and care for their babies.

4. Baby massage

   The use of baby massage oils and baby massage techniques is not something you can teach yourself, however if you do become trained in these techniques the benefits are numerous. Baby massage has been shown to decreases stresses that may be affecting your infant, leading to less stress for the mother and an easier time combating postnatal depression.

5. Join a support group

   As well as getting medical attention, there are many support groups available that can counsel mothers experiencing postnatal depression. These groups will have other mothers who are going through the same experience, and the meetings can be critical in minimising the effects of, and helping you get through, postnatal depression.

5 Ways to Deal With Postnatal Depression is a post from: Baby Massage Tips