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As a loving and caring parent, it’s worth knowing the benefits of effective massage therapy for your baby.
Massage can help get your newborn to sleep better, improve their health, and even strengthen your bond.
Several studies have revealed that massaging your little one can benefit their health in a number of ways both physically and physiologically.
Baby massage is gentle, rhythmic stroking of your baby's body with your hands. You can use oils or a moisturiser to help your hands glide smoothly over your baby's skin.
"When you give your baby a massage, you're actually stimulating his/her central nervous system," explains Tiffany Field, PhD, Director of the Touch Research Institute at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine. "That sets off a chain reaction: It makes her brain produce more serotonin, a feel-good chemical, and less cortisol, a hormone that's secreted in response to stress. As a result, your baby's heart rate and breathing slow down, and he/she becomes more relaxed. "
Promotes relaxation
The massage movements relax tight muscles and ease any pain. Gently massaging your baby helps release endorphins which promote relaxation, allowing your baby to have a restful sleep.
Strengthen bonding
Massaging your little one will help strengthen the bond between the two of you. Massage therapy can help you communicate with your child, understand their gestures and allow you to spend quality time with them.
"Affectionate touch and rhythmic movement are among the most powerful forms of communication between babies and their parents, so they're great ways for you to bond," says K. Mark Sossin, PhD, Director of the Parent-Infant Research Nursery at Pace University, in New York City.
Improve immunity
A massage can help stimulate the blood flow, allowing an increased supply of oxygenated blood to the body parts. It also creates an enhanced elimination of toxic wastes from the body. So, a massage will help improve immune system functioning in your newborn.
Better digestion
Baby massage can help stimulate digestion, move the baby’s bowels and help with gas relief. Moving gas and bowels is not necessarily painful for babies, but it is a new sensation they don’t experience in utero, so anything you can do to help speed up the process will benefit both the baby and the parent!
Making time for your baby and giving them a soothing massage will not only improve their body functioning but also enhance their mental wellbeing.
