Developmental baby massage introduces techniques which will en-courage your babys development and structural fitness. Baby massage is both relaxing and fun for mother and baby and helps promote muscular coordination and flexibility, aids digestion and strengthens your baby immune system. Generally started from approximately 6-8 weeks old and can continue through until 6-8 months. Baby massage is one of the most rewarding things you can experience with your new baby. It is a gentle, rhythmic caress which builds on the closeness you feel when you cuddle your baby. The quality of touch of parent to baby is a wonderful skill to develop, be-ing the simplest and most effective way for parents to encourage their babys growth and development, alleviate birth trauma and other early infant anxieties.
Benefits of Baby Massage for Baby
- Strengthens immune system
- Helps baby learn to relax
- Improves skin condition and muscle tone
- Promotes better sleep
- Develops flexibility, strength and stamina
- Helps postural development
- Promotes bonding and communication
- Helps to regulate digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems
- Helps relieve discomfort from wind, colic, congestion and constipation
- Decreases production of stress hormones
- Aids relief from pain caused by colic
- Releases both oxytocin and endorphins which are natural pain relievers
- Enhances babys feeling of being loved, respected and secure
Benefits of Baby Massage for Parents
- Helps deepen bonding between baby and parent
- Better equipped in understand and responding appropriately to baby’s nonverbal cues
- Promotes feelings of competence and confidence in caring for baby
- Improves parent-baby communication
- Parents are able to help baby relax in times of stress much more effectively