Infant massage therapy
Description
Children/infant massage therapy can help with:
- Easing colic and stomach pain.
- Pain relief for your baby’s teething pains.
- Promoting restful sleep
- Decreasing your baby’s fussiness and crying.
The key difference in Massage Therapy treatments for infants and young children is that the therapist will ensure the parent(s) / guardian(s) are also well involved with the process.
Depending on the age group, the therapist will adjust and cater to the level of involvement required of each parent/guardian, and the goals are the same – if not similar – to meet the needs of each child’s physical and emotional development.
During a baby massage session, you can expect to feel your baby’s body relax and become very limp. This is a good indication that the baby is feeling comfortable and is enjoying the massage.
Some babies may cry during a baby massage session, but it is important to remember that the baby is not in pain. The teary eyes and crying are a result of the baby becoming overwhelmed with feelings of comfort and joy.
Infant massage supports the development of the baby’s brain, movement, and emotional development.
There are many benefits of parent-child massage that are described in the professional literature. These benefits include:
There are different techniques used in parent-child massage. The parent follows the baby’s lead and will learn what the baby enjoys and what areas of the body the baby prefers to be massaged in. The parent should ask the baby if he/she is comfortable with the massage.
There are different massage techniques. The parent should ask the baby if he/she enjoys the massage. Some babies like a gentle touch, while others like a more firmer, more vigorous touch. The parent can ask the baby to tell him/her how the baby feels about the pressure by letting the parent know by making different sounds. Some babies will cry during the massage and some will laugh. Both are good indications that the baby is comfortable.
The parent should be aware that the baby is in control of the massage, not the parent. The parent should relax and focus on giving the baby a positive experience by gazing into the baby’s eyes and smiling. The parent should also speak to the baby softly and let the baby know how much the parent cares about the baby.
There are different massage techniques that a parent can use. The parent can use their thumbs to give the baby a massage. The parent can also use their fingers to give the baby a massage. The parent can use their hands to give the baby a massage in a circular motion. The parent can also use their hands to give the baby a massage in a back and forth motion. The parent can also use their hands to give the baby a massage by rubbing their palms against the baby’s skin. The parent can also use their hands to give the baby a massage by tapping the baby’s skin gently. The parent can also use their hands to give the baby a massage by pressing on the baby’s skin. The parent can also use their hands to give the baby a massage by rubbing the baby’s skin up and down. The parent can also use their hands to give the baby a massage by rubbing the baby’s back in a circular motion.
