Parental bonding is one of the benefits of massaging the baby. Read on to know more about the benefits of baby massage. You must have often noticed that the moment you put the infant down, he begins to cry and then when you pick him up in your arms and pat, he is calm again. Well, this is an instantaneous example of the benefits of baby massage. The principle objective behind massaging is soothing the baby with touch and care. Making him feel comfortable and secure and develop the feeling in him that he is loved. This is a physiological and mental requirement of the infant. In fact, it has been noticed in studies that there is a marked reduction in crying and irritability in babies, when they are massaged. It is very helpful for colicky babies as they can sleep in peace. In this articleHow Does Massaging Help?Making Massage EnjoyableMaking the Baby ComfortableStart GentlyHow Does Massaging Help? It is important to know how massage reacts on the baby in order to understand the benefits of it. Through massage, the central nervous system of the baby gets stimulated. This actually triggers off a chain of reactions in the baby. The brain begins to produce more of the feel good chemical called serotonin. This in turn reduces the production of Cortisol, the hormone which is known to get produced when the body undergoes stress. In response, the heart rate of the baby and the breathing slows down; thereby making her feel more and more relaxed. Benefits: Regular massage helps the baby to feel good emotionally too. As you help the baby feel your affectionate touch in a rhythmic movement it helps in the creation of the parental bonding. It becomes a mode of communication too. Sometimes parents are a little worried rather petrified on how they would handle a newborn, but as you start with the rub down, you will begin to feel confident and more in control. Since babies are not able to talk, he expresses his needs through various signals that you need to understand. Massaging evolves as a means of communication and you begin to understand your baby better and more effectively. Points to Note While Massaging the Baby Have a quick at some tips which you can follow while massaging your baby. Making Massage Enjoyable Make massage an enjoyable activity, that is, a fun time. Even if the baby hasn’t learnt to talk, keep up a conversation with him. Sing a song, and make the environment right. The room should be quiet and warm. Take off jewelleries if the baby is wearing any, and also those that are on your fingers, as they can get rubbed on the tender skin of the baby and cause injuries. Making the Baby Comfortable Lie down the baby with his face up on a soft blanket or towel and remove his clothes and you may or may not choose to keep the diaper on. You may place a tiny little pillow under his head for support and comfort. Start Gently Start by gently holding the hand of your infant and rub his palm with your thumb as a warm up. He will gradually get tuned in and now you can go ahead with other soothing techniques. You need to make sure that the baby is in a mood for massage. Do not force anything that is against his wishes. You can surely lead him on, if you feel that he will slowly begin to like it, but if you see that he does not like it, then, you must stop.
Parental bonding is one of the benefits of massaging the baby. Read on to know more about the benefits of baby massage. You must have often noticed that the moment you put the infant down, he begins to cry and then when you pick him up in your arms and pat, he is calm again. Well, this is an instantaneous example of the benefits of baby massage.
The principle objective behind massaging is soothing the baby with touch and care. Making him feel comfortable and secure and develop the feeling in him that he is loved. This is a physiological and mental requirement of the infant. In fact, it has been noticed in studies that there is a marked reduction in crying and irritability in babies, when they are massaged. It is very helpful for colicky babies as they can sleep in peace.
How Does Massaging Help?
It is important to know how massage reacts on the baby in order to understand the benefits of it. Through massage, the central nervous system of the baby gets stimulated. This actually triggers off a chain of reactions in the baby. The brain begins to produce more of the feel good chemical called serotonin. This in turn reduces the production of Cortisol, the hormone which is known to get produced when the body undergoes stress. In response, the heart rate of the baby and the breathing slows down; thereby making her feel more and more relaxed.
Benefits:
Regular massage helps the baby to feel good emotionally too. As you help the baby feel your affectionate touch in a rhythmic movement it helps in the creation of the parental bonding. It becomes a mode of communication too. Sometimes parents are a little worried rather petrified on how they would handle a newborn, but as you start with the rub down, you will begin to feel confident and more in control. Since babies are not able to talk, he expresses his needs through various signals that you need to understand. Massaging evolves as a means of communication and you begin to understand your baby better and more effectively.
Points to Note While Massaging the Baby
Have a quick at some tips which you can follow while massaging your baby.
Making Massage Enjoyable
Make massage an enjoyable activity, that is, a fun time. Even if the baby hasn’t learnt to talk, keep up a conversation with him. Sing a song, and make the environment right. The room should be quiet and warm. Take off jewelleries if the baby is wearing any, and also those that are on your fingers, as they can get rubbed on the tender skin of the baby and cause injuries.
Making the Baby Comfortable
Lie down the baby with his face up on a soft blanket or towel and remove his clothes and you may or may not choose to keep the diaper on. You may place a tiny little pillow under his head for support and comfort.
Start Gently
Start by gently holding the hand of your infant and rub his palm with your thumb as a warm up. He will gradually get tuned in and now you can go ahead with other soothing techniques.
You need to make sure that the baby is in a mood for massage. Do not force anything that is against his wishes. You can surely lead him on, if you feel that he will slowly begin to like it, but if you see that he does not like it, then, you must stop.
