Massage is a great way to help your baby relax and get ready for sleep. Research has shown that regular infant massage can help regulate your baby's circadian rhythms, allowing them to sleep more at night and be more active during the day. Giving your baby a massage can be a great way to bond with them, and it can also help them relax and drift off to sleep. Have you ever experienced the calming effects of a massage? The low lights, the soft music, the feeling of relaxation as you sink into a comfortable surface and let go of all your daily tensions.
A baby massage can be done at any time, but it is especially useful as part of the bedtime routine. According to the National Sleep Foundation, massage triggers the production of serotonin, which helps the body and mind relax. Studies have also shown that infant massage can improve sleep quality. You can give your baby a massage in the morning or at night before bedtime.
Massage has been used for centuries to help babies relax and fall asleep, and now it is widely recognized as a beneficial practice. Diapers are perfect for newborns because they mimic the safety of the uterus and also counteract the Moro reflex that can wake up your baby. If your baby has any underlying health issues, make sure to talk to their doctor before trying infant massage. A gentle massage helps increase your baby's melatonin levels at night, which will help them sleep better.
Vimala, who worked in an orphanage in India, noticed that a 12-year-old girl was routinely massaging all the boys. When giving your baby a massage, make sure you have a waterproof pad placed on a pillow and covered with a soft bath towel. Infant massage is not complicated, but it requires specific techniques to be applied to specific points on your baby's body. Some parents prefer to use oil during infant massage to avoid friction between their hands and their baby's skin, while others find it too messy.
While adult massage uses pressure to relieve tension and knots in muscles, infant massage uses stretching, pumping and squeezing movements to move circulation and equalize tissues from head to toe. Some parents massage their babies every day, while other parents do it every other day.
