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Early Years
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Is your baby suffering from sleeplessness? Are you? Maybe it's a bad case of colic, or the discomfort of teething. Or perhaps you face the challenges of raising a baby with special needs. In any case, there is an age-old art that can aid in many of these situations, as well as enhance the bond between parent and child. It is infant massage. Infant massage has been around for centuries in many cultures. Perhaps you have heard the terms Tiger in the Tree, Swooping, Combing, Indian Bouncing, Sun Moon and Swedish Milking. They are all massage strokes. But such techniques are more than just tradition. Modern scientific research has proven that massage offers a wealth of benefits for babies too, including improved immune system functioning, better digestion and food absorption, muscular relaxation, joint flexibility, and an increase in growth hormones. Consider the evidence: In one study, premature infants who were massaged three times a day showed improved neurological development and averaged shorter stays in the hospital, while massaged babies in another study enjoyed increased weight gain. "It's spectacular for the health of the baby," says JoAnne King, a certified infant massage instructor in San Juan Capistrano. "It's wonderful on both a physical and emotional level, and you can start with babies as young as 2 weeks old." King teaches parents and other caregivers the art of infant massage, and she says she has seen it make a difference in many lives, usually quite soon after parents learn a few specific routines. For example, massage for colic includes stroking and movement that relaxes a baby and helps pass painful gas. She also teaches parents to massage a baby's gums through the cheeks, which can help diminish swelling and reduce discomfort when they are teething. One of the most common challenges is sleeplessness. "We tell parents they can expect changes in sleeping patterns right away when they start massage," King says. "I worked with one baby who went to a regular sleep pattern the very day we started." Cindy Spindle of Orange learned to massage her daughter Lindsey under King's guidance and she says they both experienced the benefits firsthand. "I did it with her for her first year and I know the massage helped her a lot with sleeping. I thought it was a great experience and I still do it periodically." The best part for Spindle was the bonding she shared with her daughter. "I could tell Lindsey enjoyed it by the look on her face. She would look at me and smile. She loved that I was giving her my full attention." Spindle says a favorite technique taught by King was a special procedure where she ended by tracing the words "I love you" on her daughter's stomach. "I thought that was really special and it really helped with her digestion." Spindle's memories of massaging her infant daughter reveal the most popular reason parents are learning the art of infant massage - the opportunity to enhance the bonding experience with a baby. The direct eye contact, gentle conversation and soft touch promotes trust and confidence while at the same time enabling parents to better understand their baby's nonverbal signals, explains King. "Infant massage can help a parent feel more comfortable with their baby, so they can let their instincts take over. And it's something you can use throughout your child's life, a connection that makes the whole parenting process easier, because you stay close to your child and keep that intuitive link." If you are interested in practicing infant massage with your baby, King recommends these tips to get started: • Make sure your baby is awake and in a good mood when you begin. Evenings after a bath work well with many babies. Just be sure to wait at least 30 minutes after a meal. • Always begin by verbally "asking" your baby if she wants a massage, and repeat the word "relax" as you begin the routine. A ritual such as spreading lotion on your baby's hands and rubbing them together will gradually help your baby recognize what's about to happen. • Start by massaging arms and legs in a light to medium pressure that draws away from the body. • Try to allow 15 to 30 minutes per day for the massage. Some community centers offer one-time classes for parents who are interested in learning about infant massage; King offers a four-session series. There are also many books on the subject. Michele Piazzoni is a freelance writer and mother of three living in Folsom. She is a regular contributor to The Early Years and, in the Family News section, Getting Started...To reach her: mpiazzoni@hotmail.com. Resource list Books "Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents," by Vimala McClure (Bantum) "The Practical Art of Baby Massage," by Peter Walker (Perseus) Internet sites www.infantmassage.com www.iaim-us.com Referral service Call the International Association of Infant Massage at 805.644.8524 to find a certified infant massage instructor near you. |
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