Infant massage is very bonding and a wonderful way to spend special, meaningful time with your baby.
Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant. Food as necessary as minerals, vitamins, and proteins.
– Dr. Frederick Laboyer
Research has shown many benefits for massaging your baby.
Infant Massage is …
Stimulating
Stimulates all the systems of the body including the:
- Nervous System
- Circulatory System
- Respiratory System
- Elimination System
- Immune System
Stimulates the release of oxytocin, also known as the cuddle hormone (is released in both parent and child), prolactin (promoting milk production in the mother) and other endorphins.
Relaxing
- Relieves some of the tension built up from all the stimulation in the baby’s environment
- Helps babies handle sensory stimulation and respond in a relaxed manner
- Improves babies sleeping pattern
- Creates a more regulated sleep/wake cycle
- Reduces muscle stiffness and normalizes muscle tone
Provides Relief
- Touch combined with vocalization helps reduce pain levels up to 80%
- Helps to tone the digestive tract
- Aids in the alleviation of gas and promotes elimination
- Releases needed hormones for improved food absorption
- Releases needed endorphins, or natural pain killers, to ease baby’s emotional distress
“Bonding is a unique relationship between two people. It is specific and endures through time.”
– M. Klaus
Bonding and Attachment
- Massaging draws on all the elements of bonding and attachment
- Facilitates eye contact, skin-to-skin contact, body scent familiarity, vocalization, taste, responsiveness
- Stimulates the hormones that promote bonding and attachment between parent and baby
Visit InfantMassageUSA.org to learn more about Infant Massage. “It’s amazing!”