Infant Massage – A Healthy Way To Bond

Most moms won’t pass up a massage, so why should baby miss out on the enjoyment? Infant Massage, a special technique of massaging the arms, legs, hands, feet, face and abdomen of babies, brings wonderful benefits to both baby and mom. Once you learn the proper strokes, Infant Massage can create a special time for mom and baby, ideal after bath time or any time you both need to relax and connect.

Many hospitals and family centers offer Infant Massage instruction, which provides important in-depth information on technique, stroke direction and how to read baby’s cues. Infant Massage instructors are certified through the International Association of Infant Massage; check with your local resources to find a certified Infant Massage instructor near you.

Benefits of Infant Massage:

Bonding –Infant Massage helps mom and child build a bond, with the quiet, gentle touch of mom’s hands helping the baby feel more secure. While baby learns to trust, mom learns baby’s nonverbal communication through facial expressions and body language.

Relaxation – All moms want her baby to sleep comfortably and well. Just like moms need a massage to release tension from a stressful day, baby can benefit in the same manner.

Good Health – Follow specific directional strokes in massage to help baby’s digestion improve, reducing problems such as colic, gas and constipation. But learn your strokes first; massaging the abdomen in the wrong direction can have the reverse effect. Massage also can help relieve discomfort from immunizations, teething and congestion.