This post is the beginning of a series on the benefits of massage for different age groups. Naturally, I am beginning with infants…
“As a parent, loving
relative, or caregiver of an infant, you want to see your child flourish. Touch is one of the most important
requirements for healthy development – a fact supported by both ancient
tradition and contemporary research.
Massage is attentive, pleasurable touch that can promote your baby’s
well-being while increasing your ability to respond to his or her needs.
The special touch of
massage is remarkable in its ability to enhance a child’s comfort. Babies who are massaged sleep better,
and are calmer and more alert when awake.
Massage stimulates digestion and elimination. It can also reduce the discomfort of teething and colds, and
help calm fussy babies.
In addition, bonding is
enhanced with massage. Responding
to your baby’s smiles, frowns and squirms with sensitive touch, eye contact,
soothing sounds and loving communication can reinforce trust for years to come.
Studies Confirm…
The positive effects of
infant massage have been well-researched by organizations such as UNICEF and
the University of Miami School of Medicine. They have found:
* Children and infants who
were massaged showed significantly reduced stress indicators such as heart rate
and stress hormone levels.
* Infants who received
extra touch developed visual attentiveness earlier than babies who didn’t. Visually impaired babies whose parents
touched them early and often were able to reach toward sounds sooner than other
babies.
* Premature babies who were
regularly massaged gained weight faster, acquired mental and motor skills
earlier, and were more relaxed than non-massaged babies.
* For drug-exposed
infants, massaged helped increase weight gain, and relieved both tension and
pain.
Benefits for YOU…
Giving massage can build
your confidence in caring for your baby.
You may feel more satisfied with the quality of time you spend with your
infant and with your increased ability to help your child relax in times of
stress. You may even find your own tension eased as you perform the gentle
movements."
- Natural Touch Marketing
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