Infant massage is best performed in a warm, quiet environment, away from bright lights
By: Debbie Brown-Kuhn, R.N.
Many alternative health methods are increasingly becoming more mainstream. These include acupuncture, acupressure and yoga, and now, for the much younger set, infant massage.
While many cultures, particularly the Asian Indian culture, have long recognized the benefits of infant massage, it has only recently begun to catch on as one of the many health practices that has been neglected, yet is simple, inexpensive and rewarding.
Princeton HealthCare System, through its Community Education & Outreach program, offers two classes in infant massage. In the prenatal infant massage program, expectant couples practice massage techniques on a doll so they can start with their own baby as soon as they go home from the hospital. The postpartum infant massage class is designed for parents, caregivers and babies and involves in-class practice of massage techniques.
There are many proven benefits of infant massage. It has been shown to stimulate the baby’s brain, relieve the discomfort of colic and other abdominal pains, enhance neurological development, aid in sleep, tone muscle, strengthen the immune system and increase circulation.
Infant massage has also been effective in promoting growth, especially in premature babies.
A landmark study performed at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine showed that a group of preterm infants who received regular massage for three 15-minute sessions a day for 10 days showed an average of 47 percent more weight gained than the control group. The massage consisted of simple body strokes and passive limb movements.
The data suggested that the massage contributed to an increase in food absorption hormones, such as insulin, that helped with the infant’s weight gain. The premature infants in the study group also exhibited greater alertness, orientation and responsiveness on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale. This guide provides a behavioral portrait of the infant, describing his strengths, adaptive responses and possible vulnerabilities, and is used to develop care-giving strategies to enhance the relationship between babies and their parents.
Infant massage has benefits for the parents as well. These include an enhanced confidence in their parenting skills and increased opportunities for bonding and intimacy with their infant. Other physiological benefits include an improved sense of well-being, relaxation and reduction of stress as well as blood pressure.
For mothers, the act of massaging their babies increases prolactin, which helps in the production of milk and can help reduce the baby blues. For fathers, it gives them an opportunity to enjoy skin-to-skin contact that many mothers experience through breastfeeding. It helps fathers to develop an understanding of their child’s rhythms, responses and cues, and helps them to develop their own ways to soothe and comfort their baby.
Healthy, full-term babies can be massaged right from birth.
Infant massage is best performed in a warm, quiet environment, away from bright lights. Parents and caregivers need to remember that babies can absorb tensions and anxieties through physical contact, so make sure you take a minute to relax and center yourself before beginning the massage.
Typically, a light vegetable oil such as sunflower or safflower is used on the hands to reduce skin-to-skin friction and provide a more enjoyable experience for the baby.
Ideal times for a massage are when the baby is relaxed and alert. Since babies have their own personalities and a sense of their personal boundaries, speak softly and ask permission to start. At the same time, maintain good eye contact, and put your hands over them so they can see you.
It is a good idea to start with the baby’s feet, where he feels less vulnerable, and work your way up to the legs and other parts of the body. Every time you move to a new area, ask permission before you move forward and show them your hands. Very soon, your baby will recognize that he or she will be massaged and may smile or coo with anticipation.
For the massage to be effective, the touch must be firm enough to trigger the pressure receptors in the baby’s skin. If the touch is too light, the massage can over-stimulate the baby.
Start a massage program with five to 10 minutes every day and work your way up to 15 to 20 minutes at a stretch. If you have time and the baby responds well, you can do as many as three sessions a day.
There are some precautions to consider before trying massage on your baby.
Infants who have received immunizations should not be massaged until a week after their most recent injection. Massage should not be done on an infant who is ill or has a fever.
Make sure you wait at least 45 minutes after a feeding, and stop the massage immediately if the baby starts hiccupping, crying, grimacing, turning his head away, or putting his hands in front of his face.
Parents and caregivers taking the postpartum infant massage classes at PHCS are required to receive medical clearance from the baby’s pediatrician before beginning the program.
One of the greatest benefits of all is increased bonding between parent and child promoted by the pure and simple joy of touch.
For more information about infant massage, or to register for childbirth and family classes, call (888) 897-8979 or visit www.princetonhcs.org/calendar.