After the first few weeks of birth, you can start massaging your baby. However, be sure to follow your baby's mood. Your baby should be calm, alert and happy when he is ready to receive a massage. Never perform any massage techniques that seem to make your baby feel uncomfortable. Infant massage is a way to gently nurture your baby and spend quality time with him.
Discover the potential benefits of infant massage and how to get started. Far from being an isolated success, Saxena's experience is supported by increasing evidence about the surprising advantages of massage for South Asian babies, even for premature babies. Studies have shown that these oil massages, when done correctly, can increase weight gain in babies, prevent bacterial infections and reduce infant mortality by up to 50%.However, parents interested in the technique should first discuss it with their health care provider, to make sure it is safe and appropriate for their child. Olive oil is made from olives.
It's rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and things like squalene and oleocanthal, which can help repair skin damage. Olive oil is also not toxic to babies, it kills dangerous microbes and is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, making it a good choice for your baby's delicate skin. The BBC encourages anyone interested in using baby massage to seek expert advice beforehand, as misapplication of these techniques could harm young children and babies. This study found that infant massage is comparable to vibrating chairs in terms of successfully calming a colicky baby. For example, children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder performed better on tests after a massage.
Recent research from the University of Manchester also studied the role of oil used in baby massage and found that olive oil and sunflower oil appeared to break down the baby's skin barrier function. The evidence is not conclusive on these points, but parents say they find baby massage a lovely way to bond with their baby. However, if you massage a newborn, you'll want to be extra careful when using any oil on your newborn's sensitive skin. Although it can be given a nourishing touch from birth, some babies may find formal, structured massage too stimulating in the first few weeks. So how does massage reduce stress hormones? Touch causes endorphins to be released, causing cortisol levels to decrease. Through separate trials, the team found that regular massages help develop the baby's microbiome, the layer of bacteria that resides in the skin and gut.
This is because of the five senses; touch is one of the most developed at birth, and there is research that suggests that infant massage has tremendous benefits in helping babies grow and thrive. The most important thing to do is keep it really simple. Baby massage does not have to be executed perfectly to be effective. My baby has had to adapt to massage techniques, although I have just learned newer techniques about baby massage. But her doctors were more cautious, suggesting that she wait until the baby had become fatter before starting the massages. For the baby's stomach, massage clockwise (in the same way as the baby's digestive system moves).
Recent studies suggest that infant massage can also lower levels of bilirubin, the compound in the blood that causes jaundice, and increase the frequency of bowel movement, helping to expel excess bilirubin from the body, not to mention constipation. The evidence suggests that infant massage can provide numerous benefits for both parents and babies alike. It can help strengthen parent-child bonding while providing physical and emotional benefits for your little one. However, it's important to always consult with your health care provider before beginning any type of massage therapy for your baby.
