Benefits of Newborn Massage
Beyond the joy of spending quality time bonding with a new baby, infant massage has been shown to provide many benefits to the baby, the parents, and to the rest of the family.
Babies who receive massage can experience:
- Better performance on neurological assessment scales
- Better sleep/wake behaviors
- Greater soothability
- Improved growth and development
- Improved body awareness
- Improved relaxation and release of accumulated stress
- Strengthened digestive, circulatory and gastrointestinal systems, which can lead to weight gain
- Reduced discomfort from teething, congestion, gas, colic and emotional stress
- Improved muscle tone coordination
- Increased elimination, circulation and respiration
- Reduced blood pressure
- Improved overall health
Families who share in infant massage can experience:
- Stronger bonding and attachment between parent and baby
- Enhanced sense of love, respect and trust among family members
- Improved ability of the parents to read infant cues
- Increased confidence in parenting
- Increased communication between baby and parent
- Strengthened parenting skills
- Stronger family foundation through understanding, positive communication, and touch