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Should I massage my baby?

By Lynn Shear, edHelperBaby

Should I massage my baby?
           One of the new buzz words in infant care is infant massage.  Infant massage has been around for centuries but has only recently been promoted in Western society as a beneficial tool for parent-infant bonding.  But is it necessary or even beneficial for babies?  Proponents say yes.       

       Loving parents hold and rock their babies naturally.  We can't get enough of that smooth, soft skin and tiny body.  From counting toes to kissing cheeks, we spend all day touching our babies.  However, few in the United States practice formal infant massage.  In the late 1970's, Vimala Schneider McClure introduced it to the United States after spending time in an Indian orphanage.       

       The benefits of infant massage seem to be many for parents and babies.  For babies, benefits include helping calm stomach upset and stimulating brain and sensory development.  For parents, benefits include relaxation and increased confidence in taking care of their baby.  For both, though, the biggest benefit is parent-child bonding.  It can be especially helpful in families for whom after-birth bonding has been hindered for any reason.  This includes premature babies, babies who have suffered from medical complications, or adopted babies.  Parents who are separated from their babies due to work or other obligations also find massage advantageous.       

       To massage your baby, choose baby oil or baby lotion.  Lay your baby down on his stomach.  Put a quarter-sized dollop of oil or lotion in your hands (making sure that your hands are warm).  Gently rub your hands back and forth four to six times on each area of your baby's body.  Start at the top of his head and rub down to his neck, then from his neck across his shoulders.  From there, rub his upper back to his waist, rub up and down each leg, and finally rub up and down each arm.  Turn him over on his back and "bicycle" his arms and legs for around five minutes.  Finish up by turning him back on his stomach and repeating the first sequence.  These are just general guidelines, however.  Pay attention to your baby's cues.  The point of infant massage is to build a close relationship between you and your baby, so experiment until you find a routine that works for your family.       

       With my three-month-old daughter, I use a bit of baby oil after the bath and rub it in.  We don't have a formal massage routine, but I enjoy the time and she seems to.  She doesn't have digestion problems, and we didn't have any trouble bonding after birth, but I like spending any time with her and it certainly doesn't hurt.  If you are interested, there are classes that you can take to learn the art of infant massage and there is a plethora of information on the internet.  Enjoy spending time with your baby!

   


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