The Benefits of Baby Massage

We all have heard about the benefits of massage for our body's, our general health and wellbeing, but what about the benefits of massage for babies and children? LMT's (Licensed massage therapists) have started to offer infant/baby massage classes and sessions and parents are lining up in droves. But why? Does it really help or is it a fad? We will discuss the different ways that massage can help a baby and help the parents.

Lets start off with one of the more obvious. Bonding to the child. When you get home from a long day at work and your muscles are stiff and sore if you're lucky you get a nice shoulder rub from your partner. Don't you just love that person more for caring for you? Your baby will feel the same way. Let's think about this from their perspective. From the moment they are born baby's are trying to move, constantly growing. They can't talk, but they're trying, watching and learning our every move. Trying to learn how to stabilize their muscles, get control of that ever so wobbly head. Its hard work! Those tiny little muscles are going through constant growing pains as its all infants do. A good rub down would warrant some serious thanks I'm sure.

Part of what you learn from attending a baby massage class (or getting a DVD or a book) is how to rub the stomach. The stomach is an important part of the massage. The reason for this is to aide in digestion and relieves any colic. Colic is described by researchers as

"At least three hours a day of irritability, fussing and crying.

Occurring three or more days a week

During the first 3 or 4 months of life,

In an infant who is otherwise healthy and well fed."