Many cultures have used massage as part of baby care for hundreds of years, and research has shown it has many benef its. Massage enables you to learn about and respond to your baby;s body language. It's also a wonderful way to make your baby feel safe and secure by showing that he or she is loved and cared for. There is no set way to massage your baby - provided you know how to do it safely, this you can learn from someone with a qualif ication in baby massage, or from a midwife or health visitor. It's important to remember, however, that massage is something you do with, rather than to, your baby. A ten minute massage, two or three times a week helps make a more confident father/mother-infant relationship, babies love it and it can help alleviate baby ailments too. Babies are already supple, relaxed and do not seem to face the stresses that make us knotted and tense. But believe it or not babies do not know how to relax; they may be fussy, disorganised and have colic, cry a lot or sleep poorly all of which massage can help with all.
A short massage each night before bath time can help your baby feel loved, it also helps to alleviate trapped wind, soothe colic or alleviate constipation. As the child grows massaging the jaw can relax a baby who has just begun to take solids and massaging the gums through the skin may ease the pain of teething. A face massage can ease a baby's blocked nose. It helps to smooth the transition from womb to world and enables a positive loving touch. With continued massage the development body, mind, awareness and coordination becomes more noticeable and through those early months and years regulates and strengthens baby's digestive and respiratory systems and stimulates circulatory and nervous systems. An added bonus is that overall condition of the skin improves. It is recommended that you use organic oil such as calendula (not mineral based oils). Massage can alleviate the effects of postnatal depression and help you have a more positive interaction with your baby, it can also help you to understand baby's non-verbal communication. Details of baby massage are usually available through your health visitor, midwife or GP surgery; it takes only one session to learn a skill of a lifetime, but it's also a good way to meet others in a group setting weekly.