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BABY MASSAGE

Claire Strickland looks at a massage therapy for babies which seems to help promote wellbeing

An ancient art used in many cultures over hundreds of years to promote healthy physical and brain development in babies, ‘baby massage’, is now becoming an accepted and popular therapy throughout the UK.

Whilst some argue that it is an unnecessary practice that is naturally incorporated into care routines for mothers, the therapy is ever gaining in popularity, with many mothers reporting that their babies seem happier and less tearful with regular massage.

Research suggests that massage can improve babies breathing, circulation, digestion, help with teething and growth, as well as concluding that babies sleep longer and have less colic.

Touch is central to the development of bonding between mother and baby

The International Association of Infant Massage claims that: “Massage enables you to learn about and respond to your baby’s body language.” Founded by Vimala McClure in the US in 1981, the International Association of Infant Massage has trained practitioners now throughout the world.

During the 1970s, Vimala McClure left the US to work in an orphanage in Northern India where, amid a tough routine of daily chores, she was taught how to cook local dishes and how to massage little ones with mustard seed oil.

It was there that she discovered the practice of infant massage and realised the potential it could have for babies of all cultures. On her return, and after years of researching and closely observing the potential scientific benefits and uses of massage with babies, McClure incorporated Swedish Massage, reflexology and yoga into the massage practices she learned in India to develop the baby massage curriculum which is now practiced and taught in over 30 countries.

Bernard Brazelton, a child psychologist, believes that ‘touch’ is central to the development of bonding between mother and baby. Therapists hail the effects that the process of massage and the intimate time spent together has on bonding. Further they see it as an early natural form of communication which helps provide the foundation for a positive relationship and a confident, secure child. 

Some claim that post-natal mothers are likely to avoid post-natal depression or will recover more quickly if they regularly massage their babies

Lucy, mother of Iona and Max comments: “I found baby massage a great way to bond with my newborn. I found it particularly useful for calming down both colicky baby and busy toddler at the end of the day.” 

Jo, mother of Ellie, and also an advocate for baby massage says: “It was a relaxing and rewarding experience and by the end of the lesson, Ellie was smiling broadly and then went on to eat her largest meal so far and slept through the whole night.” 

What is of real interest is the claim that post-natal mothers are likely to avoid post-natal depression or will recover more quickly if they regularly massage their babies. 

Some scepticism has been recorded by The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health who comment that although some babies seem to benefit from the treatment, there is not enough research to provide conclusive proof of the benefits. 

Perhaps in time there will be more conclusive evidence to prove things one way or another, but for now it seems that many are enjoying the benefits of baby massage, whatever they might be.

LINKS
The International Association of Infant Massage website, www.iaim.org.uk, provides a good directory of classes and practitioners as well as more information about the treatment.
The Guild of Infant and Child Massage http://www.gicm.org.uk/
The National Literacy Trust website, www.literacytrust.org.uk/talktoyourbaby/babymassage includes a list of resources, training courses and classes
The Touch Research Institute www.miami.edu/touchresearch is a centre dedicated to the study of touch.