12 Benefits of Infant Massage & A Lactation Consultant Who Loves To Teach Families
I’ll admit it — I missed the boat on infant massage when my kids were babies, and I've been kicking myself ever since. Something that helps with bonding and gets them to sleep better? Yes, please! Not to mention the million other benefits that a baby massage can bring.
As an experienced lactation consultant who’s been serving the Boise community for over 5 years, I know the tremendous positive impact touch has on babies. I’ve taken numerous courses in bodywork. stretches, craniosacral therapy, and craniosacral facial therapy.
When you work with me, not only do I perform these soft, precise gentle touch to your baby but I also teach you how to do the same at home so you have the skills. As a parent, it feels empowering to be able to help your baby with a simple soft touch.
12 Amazing Benefits From Infant Massage
The benefits of touch are amazing because when the muscles are relaxed, they “fire” or activate faster and allow your baby to feed easier as well as be more comfortable. Look at all the benefits below that could directly benefit your baby.
Infant-parent bonding
Relaxation
Helps baby feel loved
Promotes better sleep
Boosts immune system
Sensory stimulation
Improves skin condition
Improves blood circulation
Helps digestion
Caregivers report feeling more comfortable and confident in caring for their baby
Parents learn to understand and respond to baby’s cues
Parents learn techniques to comfort their baby
As you can see, it’s a pretty detailed list with lots of health and feeding benefits. Parents love to find out that massage can also aid in digestion and gas. And um, what parent doesn’t want more sleep? Yes, please!
Personally, getting a massage is one of my favorite things to do. That’s not the case with everyone, but most people respond positively to touch. Some infants (especially very young infants) need a little time to adjust to touch. They may not love it at first, or only tolerate a little bit at a time. Usually, all you need is a few sessions to bring their response around to a positive one.
Over the years I’ve taught infant massage, I’ve heard from many mothers that their baby has never slept so well after a massage. Often, I hear that baby is more regular, less gassy, and happier in general. Whatever issue your baby is having, I’d bet it would improve with a massage.
Since so many muscles are involved in any type of feeding, infant massage helps relax all these muscle to allow them to work at their optimal function.
You can drop me a line here. I love teaching new parents infant massage. It’s amazing to see the interaction between Mama & Baby, and watch their relationship blossom.
Baby Bonds, my Boise-based company serves our community with lactation support specializing in infant massage and tongue tie. I teach all my clients rhythmic movements, stretches, and some infant massage in your first intake visit to help babe relax, and calm their central nervous system (CNS).