Many of us adults have had the luxury of receiving a massage. Think about how you felt afterwards. Calmer, relaxed, your blood pressure lowered, and of course getting a much deeper and more restful sleep that night. Let me tell you about the need for infant massage.

Our world and life style these days are very hectic. Babies and children experience stress just like we do. They are not able to express their stress except to cry. Many times as parents, we do not understand why our baby or child is crying or having their meltdown. They have been fed, changed, and now they are free to play, sleep, do homework, etc. However, for them it’s not working. Providing soothing soft music such as classical or Jazz, while massaging your baby, helps to relax and release the tensions of daily stimuli. It also provides them with the critical elements of bonding such as eye-to-eye contact, mutual interaction, relaxing, smiling, a loving touch, and soothing vocal sounds. All of this greatly encourages the parent /child bonding. Studies have shown that bonding increases a parent’s feeling of attachment as well as the desire to nurture and care for their infant/child. Massaging their baby also helps parents to relax and unwind from their day, As well as to learn to read their baby’s cues of responsiveness. This is a great way of emotionally nourishing your baby. It is also known to strengthen and regulate the baby’s primary systems (respiratory, circulatory, nervous, musculature, and gastrointestinal).

Massages help with the baby’s issues of sleepless nights, constipation, gas, colic, their first colds, help boost the immune system, digestion system, and provide positive body awareness.

This is also something caregivers can learn to do as well. Generally speaking, fathers usually do not get the opportunity as much as moms do for nurturing. Massaging their baby gives dad the experience of bonding unlike any other. This mutual interaction gives them both more self-confidence and a special time together.

Studies have shown that preemies that were given a massage averaged 47% greater weight gain per day. The babies had showed more mature orientation, motor and range of state behavior. Across the country, more hospitals are including infant massage into their programs across the country as part of their standard community and parenting education.

As the baby grows, parents should continue to massage their children. School aged children have a lot of stress from school to deal with. It provides a perfect avenue for conversation and maintains your close relationship. At that moment, they have your full attention.

Valerie Ybarra is a Traveling Newborn Care Specialist of new moms & babies. Specializing in Postpartum Doula, Baby nurse, Baby Sleep Training, and Infant Massage instructor. Assisting with breastfeeding issues, newborn care and education and care for multiples. She also offers private new mommy massages, infant massage classes, errands ran, chauffeuring and dinner prepared for the new family. Her services are available Hourly and 24/7.

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She writes articles on newborn care, has been featured on PBS television, and had articles written about her services. She currently teaches classes at Babies R Us (Newnan & Prim enter). Many families consider her a "godsent" and call her Atlanta's own "Baby Whisper". Please feel free to contact her for any services you may need help with concerning your newborn.

Valerie Ybarra

Trained Postpartum Doula/Newborn Care Specialist /certified infant massage instructor

www.babynurseonthego.com

A Doula On The Go

678-431-1373