Infant massage benefits families in many ways
Infant massage makes for happier and healthier babies, moms and dads. There is a world-wide tradition of mothers, fathers, and caregivers communicating with calming, nurturing touch that helps baby in many ways. Infant massage has been shown to:
- Increase self esteem for child and parent
- Promote bonding and attachment
- Increase sense of love, acceptance, respect, and trust
- For baby, improve body awareness and brain development
- Improve relaxation and release of stress
- Stimulate circulation
- Strengthen digestive, circulatory, and gastrointestinal systems, which can lead to better weight gain
- Reduce discomfort due to teething, colic, gas, congestion
- Regulate elimination, respiration, hormonal activity
- Improve synchrony between child and caregiver
- For parents, it improves ability to react to infant cues
- Increases confidence in parenting skills
- Provide time to share quality time together
- Reduce stress and blood pressure for the one giving the massage