Benefits of Infant Massage

Both research and anecdotal evidence from families have shown that there are many ways that babies and families may benefit from infant massage.
They can be grouped into four categories:
Interaction, Stimulation, Relief and Relaxation.

Interaction

Stimulation

​Respectful interaction:

• helps in the bonding process, building a trust and intimacy between parent and baby that will endure through time
• assists mothers in recovery from post-natal depression
• contributes to positive values and respectful adult behaviour
• can help improve a parents ability to understand their baby’s body language and cues
• leads to the baby/child being massaged feeling heard and respected which helps them to build confidence and a healthy self-image as they grow

Research shows massage impacts and benefits all systems of the body, it stimulates the:

• circulatory system
• increased speed of myelination of nervous system
• lymphatic system
• digestive system and tones it
• increased speed of development in premature babies
• increased weight gain in premature babies
• build up of the immune system
• baby's language skills, as you talk and sing to your baby during massage
• development of motor skills and coordination

Relief

Infant Massage can help relieve:

• gas and colic
• constipation and elimination
• digestive cramps
• excess mucous
• growing pains
• muscular tension
• teething discomfort
• disorganisation of the nervous system
• sensitivity to touch
• physical and psychological tension
• softening of the skin

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Relaxation

Relaxation can be demonstrated by:

• Improved sleep patterns
• Helps normalise muscle tone
• increased flexibility
• increased environmental coping mechanisms
• regulation of behavioural states
• being calm
• improved ability to calm oneself (aka self regulation)
• reduction in stress levels and stress hormones
• higher levels of improved mood hormones (e.g. oxytocin and serotonin)
• Lower levels of stress homones (cortisol and norepinephrin)

There is lots of research relating to infant massage which demonstrates the benefits of sharing this simple gift with your baby.  A prolific researcher in infant massage is Tiffany Field.  You can find many of her studies on infant massage on the Touch Research Institute's website here.