Skincare
Benefits of Infant Massage
Through infant massage we develop further our means of expression which is part of our very first “ language “ – touch. During the course of the day the massage offers a period of time in which the parent is fully concentrating on the baby and conveys to him/ her, in a very direct way, love, care and respect. It enables the parents, in a pleasant way, to further the development of the child and at the same time strengthen the parent / child bond . And, of course, massage is fun!
Benefits for Parents
- Bonding and relaxation
- Communication, verbal and non- verbal
- Increased parental competence in relating to and handling the baby
- Fun and joy
- Opportunities for close bonds and intensive communion between two people
- Increase in prolactin/ocytocin production ( the hormone which furthers “ motherly instincts & well being )
- Development of awareness through loving touch and caring attention
- Positive effects extend to other relationships i.e to partner and child
- Teaching, in groups offers parents the opportunity for reciprocal exchange of ideas and experiences
Benefits to Babies
- Supports the bonding process
- Improves the blood circulation, digestion and inner equilibrium ( balance )
- Conveys a consciousness of love, acceptance and security
- The baby learns how to relax and become more calm
- The baby feels that it is respected and his/ her needs are cared for and considered
- Can improve sleep patterns
- Stimulates a heightened sense of well being
- Furthering of the development of the digestive tract and the respiratory organs
- Reduction of colic symptoms and digestive problems
Benefits for babies with special needs ( additional to above )
- Promotes relaxation of tense muscles
- Stimulates muscle tome of hypotonic babies
- Increases baby’s alert state promoting ability to concentrate
- Helps baby to accept touch and to associate it as something positive ( especially in babies who have experienced traumatic hospital intervention )
- Promotes weight gain
- Can increase length and depth of sleep
- Reduction in bloating, constipation and other digestive problems
- Helps to regulate hypo- or hyper – sensitivity towards touch
- Improvement in eye contact and interaction with others
- Stimulation of blood circulation, which reduces “ marbled veined “ skin
- Decreases fist making and shoulder tension
- Encourages hands go to midline more frequently, for self comforting
- General relaxation
Written by Margo Killborn a granny of triplets from Johannesburg. Margo is the President of the International Association of Infant Massage ( IAIM). Margo not only trains therapists, she also speaks at various seminars including the SAMBA seminars in Johannesburg.
