Over 20 years ago, I trained my family and friends on Infant Massage. Babies, as we have learned, are not simply little lumps of clay to be held a molded. They have the very same complex nervous systems we have, and it is more fragile in some ways than most of us without training truly understand.
My basic knowledge of Infant Massage came about somewhat coincidentally. I would massage couples who had just given birth, and they knew first hand the benefits of massage. It was only natural they want the same thing for their children. I became curious about Infant Massage, and started to research on my own. I found their was a lack of good information, but there was enough to give me a foundation to build on.
In the process of exploring I learned how to help infants with colic by massaging their little bellies and gently stretching their legs. Their nervous system is still in development, and because of that, their physical awareness of their surroundings is heightened. But because they are still in a discovery process, they don’t yet know how to cope with all this information coming at them. Touch is the one things that communicates an immediate sense of comfort and security.
Massage Therapy for Improved Immune Function and Weight Gain in Preterm Infants
Research published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), showed that for stable, preterm infants, daily massage therapy is positively associated with higher natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and weight gain. American Massage Therapy Association President, Cynthia Ribeiro, says of the study, “This research demonstrates that massage therapy can benefit preterm infants by enhancing immunity and stimulating growth. Parents of preterm infants are encouraged to speak with a certified massage therapist to learn more about certain techniques designed to aid in their child’s development.”
Babies thrive on touch, that has been a proven fact for years. What helps them even more is calm, consistent, light touch that also helps activate the nerves and neuro pathways in their sweet little bodies. If you have a new baby, call me @ 772.978.9613 I can help you learn how to massage your baby..
Valentina Boonstra
