Studies show that infant massage is just as effective as rocking in reducing stress levels, improving sleep quality, and reducing crying in infants. What’s more, it fosters a stronger bond between parents and their little ones.
This age-old practice, known in parts of Africa, Asia, and the former Soviet Union, is now being recommended to UK parents in antenatal and baby massage classes.
Gently touching your baby’s body, from head to toe, while maintaining eye contact, is all it takes to reap the benefits. The pressure should be light and the movements gentle, targeting the muscles beneath the surface of the skin.
A team of researchers from Warwick Medical School and the Institute of Education at the University of Warwick conducted a thorough analysis involving 598 babies under one year old, all of whom had parents trained by health workers in infant massage.
The results were astounding. Infants who received massages cried less, slept better, and had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol compared to those who did not receive massages. The benefits extended to mothers with postnatal depression, as massage improved their relationship with their babies.
One study even compared massage to rocking, but found no significant difference in soothing infants. More research is needed to definitively determine which method is superior.
However, Dr. Angela Underdown, the lead researcher, stresses that massage indisputably benefits babies. It promotes relaxation and may aid in establishing healthy sleeping patterns.
No detrimental effects were found in any of the studies examined.
If you’re interested in learning infant massage, Dr. Underdown recommends attending local groups led by midwives or health visitors, where you can acquire the techniques firsthand.
SOURCE:DAILYMAIL
