Infant massage is massage that is applicable for newborns all the way up to toddler years, and continued as pediatric massage. It is a specialized massage that makes for happier babies and usually aids in his or her sleep patterns as massaged babies generally fall asleep more quickly New parents, grandparents and those who care for the baby can all be taught these massage techniques. . Infant massage can help preemies grow and thrive into healthier children. Research has shown that massage enhances neural development and body growth. It is also increasingly important for pre-term infants who often struggle in these areas.
First described in the Qing Dynasty of China during the second century B.C. Massage therapy is one of the oldest forms of medical health care in the world. It is estimated that 5,000 to 10,000 years ago Ayurveda medicine was first introduced. There are many theories on the beginnings of massage, but most believe it started either in China or India, and went on to influence other countries and has evolved into many forms of massage. It is from these origins that infant massage began.
Benefits
Once pharmaceuticals came into the picture back in the 1940s, massage therapy was pushed aside, but today doctors have seen the benefits of massage therapy and recommend them as secondary treatments. Massage has been shown to help improve sleeping and colic, among other conditions. Infant massage involves continuous stroking and rubbing to stimulate and enhance both physical and cognitive development. Infant massage is also gentler then what can be used on adults, with the touch more important than the depth of the pressure.
When compared, pre term infants who have received massage while still under care in neonatal care units, increased body weight more than those who did not. This is due to higher insulin levels and IGF-1 in their blood. They see other benefits as well, such as increased bone density, head circumference, bone length as well as bone mineralization. As mentioned, babies also slept better and their blood flow increased during massages. Their higher body temperatures proved this. There was also higher psychomotor and mental development, which was noted to be significantly higher on index scores.
When massaged prior to getting blood tests and injections done on the heel, leg pain was reduced when compared to the babies who did not get massaged. Mothers who massaged their preterm babies also benefited and tended to have shorter hospital stays, less chance of post delivery sepsis and lower anxiety.
In full term infants, benefits were also shown. Babies were better sleepers; they had good temperaments and cried less. Babies are also generally longer and show more weight gain. Massage seemed to improve an infant’s ability to regulate stress hormones too. Mothers who had postnatal depression were also able to reduce their own depression and better connect with their babies.
Oils
Like adult massages, infant massage includes oils. Although Mustard Oil was once used, it has been known to affect a newborn’s skin and permeability and therefore should not be used. The most common used today is Sunflower oil. Sesame oil is also used; both are harmless and also beneficially improve skin. In fact, Sesame oil has been proven to improve the infant’s body length and additionally, mid-arm and leg circumferences were larger as was the babies’ weight.
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Susan Clingman, RMT, A Healing Experience Massage, 5031 S. Federal Blvd., Suite 3, Englewood, CO 80110, (303) 726-2575; susanmclingman@comcast.net; www.ahealingexperiencemassage.com
To read articles and information about massage, modalities and health/medical issues, please visit: http://www.ahealingexperienceco.massagetherapy.com
Massage Therapy Englewood Colorado
