Infant Massage

Infant massage is a special method of using gentle massage as an aid to the development of pre-term and full-term infants. The massaging, stroking, and kneading stimulate both the muscular and nervous systems for proper growth and development. It also encourages relaxation, which decreases stress. Infant Massage therapy for babies helps improve general health by promoting the circulation of blood and body fluids. It also aids in the elimination of waste products, stimulates the immune system to fight disease, reduces pain and discomfort associated with everyday activities.

Infant Massage can also help regular daily activities, such as feeding, become more effective for you and your baby. It increases the production of your breast milk or formula, which will make feedings less time-consuming and easier for both of you. Infant Massage is often used to treat certain conditions in infants including colic, constipation, flatulence, and others. An Infant massage therapist uses the palms of the hands or a kneading motion with the fingers to work on soft tissue areas such as muscles and connective tissues. Using gentle pressure, a practitioner applies smooth even strokes in the desired direction for a prescribed length of time.

Infant massage is not only a fun and enjoyable experience for the baby and the adult providing the massage, it is also an effective way to learn more about your baby’s personality and behavior. Infant massage is a form of therapy that promotes health and well-being. The baby is in tummy-to-tummy position with the adult and it’s done in a gentle way without pressure on the baby’s muscles, joints, and skin. It helps develop the psychological bond between the infant and parent/caregiver. It helps promote the development of the whole child.

Generally, infant massage is done with infants that are one month to six months old for at least five minutes on a daily basis or more frequently if possible. Infant massage also works well for babies with colic. It is very helpful for babies with hypotonia (a condition where the baby has low muscle tone). In this case, a doctor’s approval and specific treatment need to be followed while doing infant massage.