Three Wonderful Benefits of Infant Massage

07/14/2011

What if you had the ability to calm and soothe your infant right in your own loving hands? You do!

Infant Massage has so many wonderful benefits for both you and your baby.

Here are just a few:

1.  Helps You and your Baby Relax:  Would you like to help your baby sleep? Could you use more sleep? Studies have shown that massage increases oxytocin (the happy, relaxing hormone) and reduces cortisal (the stress hormone) in both you and your baby. Oxytocin helps your baby feel sleepy and regulates sleeping patterns. Oxytocin also triggers the release of Prolactin, which is helps your milk flow during breastfeeding.
2. Enhances Bonding and Attachment: The eye contact, skin to skin contact, and nurturing touch that occurs while you lovingly massage your baby can really enhance the connection between the two of you. Daddies often express that they do not have the same opportunities to bond with their infant, especially if mom is breastfeeding. Massage is a beautiful way for dads to experience this gentle loving connection.  Older siblings bond with baby too, and massage is a fantastic way to get them involved as well as help them understand how to handle baby gently.
3. Relieves Common Baby Discomforts: Is your baby colicky? Does your baby have trouble passing stool? Infant Massage is known to help relieve colic, constipation, gas, nasal/chest congestion and even teething pain! As your child gets older, massage can relieve growing pains and stress related to social and academic pressures.