Relaxation benefits
Believe it or not, babies need to relax too. There is so much stuff going on around them and they have so much to adapt to that they also feel stressed. Also, babies are sensitive to their environment; if the parents can’t relax, babies are going to be stressed as well.
Taking the time to do a baby massage helps relax both babies and parents. Babies learn the difference between a relaxed and a stressed state, and the parents can spend some sorely needed time away from all the distractions of daily life.
Pain relief benefits
If massage helps adults to deal with all kinds of muscular and nervous pains, then it will help babies, too. Baby massage is especially helpful for colic, digestive issues and muscle spasms. Although pain relief through massage can take a little longer to be effective than regular medication, the long-lasting effect and other benefits of massage outweigh the wait.
A registered baby massage therapist can teach you all the massage techniques for various baby pains like colic, teething, gases and muscle pain.
Stimulation benefits
We’re talking here about a specific kind of stimulation—the stimulation of various bodily functions in your baby. A good massage can stimulate the digestive system, blood flow and underused muscles. Some research has shown that baby massage can help with weight gain in premature infants.
If your baby suffers from cold extremities like feet or hands, for example, a daily massage can help stimulate the blood flow to those parts of the body. Proper baby massage techniques can help babies develop a strong digestive system that will help fight digestive problems in the future.
Interaction benefits
Interaction, also known as bonding, is another great benefit of baby massage. By spending time being physically connected to your baby, you create a parent-infant bond that will only strengthen through time. Parent-infant bonding isn’t as instantaneous as most people believe, and baby massage can help support bonding efforts after birth.
Spending quality time with your baby matters as much as spending quality time with your husband or wife, older children and close friends. Babies quickly learn to appreciate and look forward to these special moments where mother, father and baby can be physically and emotionally together for a little while.
Learning and practicing baby massage takes time and attention. We strongly suggest you start by attending baby massage classes taught by a professional, as it will help avoid potential injuries caused by bad technique. Respecting your baby is of primary importance in any massage, so don’t force it on a baby who seems to be resisting your touch.