The Art and Practice of Infant Massage

Written by Jennifer Jones, Licensed Massage Therapist and Postpartum Doula

Infant massage is an ancient art and universal baby care technique practiced by parents in many cultures worldwide including India, China, Nigeria, Uganda, Bali, Fiji, New Guinea, New Zealand, Russia, Korea, Central America, and Israel. Touch is one of the first senses to develop in utero and is our first language. It is comforting to babies as well as stimulating to their physiological and brain development. (McClure, pgs 1-2) 

Skin stimulation is necessary for a baby’s physical and psychological development. Skin-to-skin contact with newborns (especially within the first hour of birth, but even for several weeks after birth) has been shown to help with bonding, promote ease of breastfeeding and latching, healthy physical development, temperature regulation, reduce anxiety in both mother and baby, aid in digestion, and promote healthy brain development. Massage helps speed myelination of the brain and nervous system in newborns. The myelin sheath surrounds nerves, protecting the nervous system and speeding the transmission of impulses from the brain to the rest of the body. The myelin coating of nerves is not complete at birth, but skin stimulation helps to speed this process, enhancing rapid neural cell firing and improving brain-body communication. (McClure, pg 8) 

Loving touch triggers psychological changes that help infants grow and develop, stimulating the nerves in the brain that facilitate food absorption and lowering stress hormones, resulting in improved immune functioning and increased growth. Studies have shown that massage and touch can increase a newborn’s rate of growth by an average of 47%! Infant Massage has also been shown to reduce colic, reduce discomfort from teething, reduce congestion, & gas, reduce fever, and improve elimination. (McClure, pg 145-148)

In addition to these profound physiological benefits, infant massage has social-emotional benefits to baby, such as:

• Increases bonding & attachment

• Increases feelings of love, trust, and acceptance

• Promotes alertness

• Enhances communication

• Reduces tension from emotional stress and growth

• Helps to develop self esteem and self respect

• Cultivates awareness of respectful touch

• Decreases stress and improves child’s ability to handle stress later in life

• Develops body-mind-spirit connection

• Is wonderful entertainment and a delightful sensory experience! (McClure, Oaks) 

All of the important elements of bonding and attachment are present during massage, increasing the parent-infant bond. Some elements of bonding include: 

• Eye contact

• Skin contact

• Vocalization

• The baby’s responses to its parent

• Stimulation of maternal/paternal hormones by contact with the baby

• Temperature regulation

• Immunizing bacteria and antibodies transferred to the baby from close contact with their parents (McClure, pgs 30-33) 

Baby isn’t the only one to benefit! For the person massaging the baby, some benefits includes:

• Provides opportunities for nurturing contact and communication with the baby

• For mothers, it stimulates the release of Prolactin which increases maternal instincts and milk production.

• For fathers, it stimulates the release of Prolactin which increases feelings of protectiveness and the desire to nurture. 

• Stimulates the release of Oxytocin 

• Enhances skill in handling baby

• Can help reduce blood pressure (McClure) 

Additionally, infant massage provides many social-emotional benefits to the massage giver such as:

• Improves ability to read infant cues

• Increases bonding and attachment

• Enhances confidence in parenting

• Enhances verbal and non verbal communication

• Structures quality time to share, and is a wonderfully delightful sensory experience 

• Increases relaxation and well being for parents

• Helps you to connect more deeply with your baby

• Helps you to understand your baby’s unique non-verbal language

• Helps you to learn to respond with love and respectful listening

• Empowers you to become the expert on your child by responding to your baby’s unique needs

• Activates your intuitive abilities 

• Strengthens your confidence in your ability to provide love and care for your baby. (McClure, Oaks) 

80% of brain development occurs in the first 2 years of life. (Heller, pg 110) Loving interactions and touch can benefit a child’s emotional development and ability to handle stress later in life. Massage and holding your baby whenever possible are ways to provide this loving touch and the physical contact your baby needs for proper psychological and physiological development. Through the practice of massage, you and your baby can learn what healthy, loving, respectful touch is.

Massage provides many fascinating sensory experiences for your baby. Your eyes, your hair, your smile, your scent, the sound of your voice singing to them, telling them a story, or speaking kindly to them; all of these sensory experiences help your baby's brain to develop. Your voice and the voice of the other family members who were close during the pregnancy were some of the first sounds from the world outside the womb that your baby heard. Baby loves the sound of her parents’ voices, and there is nothing more comforting than her parent’s loving touch. (McClure, pg 18)

Contrary to the belief that too much attention will spoil the baby causing them to grow up selfish and demanding, studies have shown that when an infant's needs are met and they are well bonded to their parents, they are more confident and more independent. (McClure pgs 2-4) A child who is seen and heard, and who feels a deep loving connection will share their love unselfconsciously to others. 

There is a direct correlation between high touch societies and low rates of violence, and vice versa - low touch societies appear to have higher incidences of violence. The US appears to have the lowest rate of loving physical contact between parents and their infants, and also has one of the highest rates of violence. (Heller, pg 71)

Massage gently welcomes your baby into this world. Through massage you are intimately learning about one another. By regularly massaging your baby, you set up a cycle of healthy responses that improve your parenting skills day by day and enhance your baby’s well-being, disposition, and the relationships among your family. 

Jennifer Jones, LMT/PPD, teaches Infant Massage every other month at Boulder Birth and Holistic Health. click here for the schedule and text 720-828-2802 to us to sign up! She’s a Licensed Massage Therapist and Postpartum Doula with Sanctuary Doulas + Family Care in Boulder, Colorado. She specializes in Prenatal and Postpartum Massage, and Infant Massage. You can learn more about Jennifer and her offerings at www.MahadeviArts.net. 

References:
Heller, Sharon, The Vital Touch, 1997 Holt Paperbacks

Leboyer, Frederick, Loving Hands, The Traditional Art of Baby Massage, 1997 Newmarket

McClure, Vimala, Infant Massage, A Handbook for Loving Parents, 2000 Bantam Books

Oaks, Ysha (Martha) Sacred Window Ayurveda for Mothers and Children, 2011