Benefits of Infant Massage & Touch

Have you wondered what Infant Massage was all about?

There was a very interesting program on The Body Sphere (ABC Radio National) this morning on "touch" which included infant massage. Important benefits for both baby and parents - a simple but powerful aspect of everyday parenting for mums and dads... here's an excerpt...

Image from Infant Massage Australia Website

Amanda Smith: What do you understand is the benefits of massaging newborns?

Tiffany Field: Massaging newborns, if they are not premature, that is a full-term newborns, you can reduce their irritability and facilitate sleep, which are the two most common complaints that are made to paediatricians by parents of full-term infants.

Amanda Smith: Does massaging your baby benefit the one giving the massage, the mother presumably, as well?

Tiffany Field: Yes, the mother and the father. And what we found in these studies is that the parents were benefiting just like the infants in that they were more relaxed and less stressed.

The program is worth reading or listening to - it points out the difference between tickling and massaging - also how we all benefit from safe and appropriate physical touch. I was pleased to see this insightful comment on the program by a new dad...

I've found grappling (BJJ) to be a great way to stay sane post-natally... Some of the blokey lust I've felt in the course of a day are actually allayed by getting enough asexual touch. Kind of like mixing hunger signals for thirst signals..