Baby Massage: First Hand by Clare Lowing

Clare Lowing describes her experience of baby massage both from attending classes with her baby and as an Infant Massage Instructor:

As a new parent life can be overwhelming and it can take time to gain confidence in your own parenting ability. Learning to massage my daughter definitely gave me a feeling of empowerment as a parent. This was something that I could do to help my child; an immediate and natural way of relieving a windy stomach or soothing a tired fuss. Not only that, but by going to classes I got to meet other parents and their babies. It turned out they didn't have 'textbook' babies either! They were all different, just as we adults were. We all shared the simple fun of massaging our own, individual, babies together.

After such a positive experience I went on to qualify as an Infant Massage Instructor myself. (I am an Aromatherapist). My training was with the International Association of Infant Massage, whose mission is:

to promote nurturing touch and communication through training, education and research so that parents, caregivers and children are loved, valued and respected throughout the world community.

Baby Massage benefits

Although baby massage is relatively new to the UK, for cultures such as those in India, massage is an important part of a baby's daily routine and the family's way of life. More than a pleasurable experience for the participants, evidence shows that loving, touching, nurturing contact between parents and babies has a positive impact on subsequent development.

Benefits for babies can include:

• Develops their first language, which is mainly touch
• Enhances their feeling of being loved, respected and secure
• Helps to strengthen and regulate their digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems
• Relieves symptoms of colic, gas and constipation
• Calmed nervous system leads to more restful sleep
• Teaches babies how to be aware of their body's tension and how to release it, an invaluable gift as they grow into adulthood.

Benefits that parents identify:

• Develops confidence when handling their baby
• Enhances loving communication, helping parents to understand and respond to their baby's non-verbal language
• Provides 'permission' to relax together with their baby
• Increases awareness of baby's growth and development

In my classes I have seen that for some mothers the Colic Relief Routine – a specific set of strokes to ease colic – has been the only thing that helped their babies' 'colic'. Along with many parents, I often use the strokes that ease a sluggish digestion. One called I Love You is particularly effective. An upside down I, L and then U made in a clockwise direction around the abdomen is effective at relieving constipation. My daughter at age three would let me know she was having trouble by telling me "I need apricots and I Love You"!

Massaging can be a way of giving yourself 'permission' to spend quality time with your baby and be present for them. This can seem even more important with subsequent children.

Bonding

Bonding is a loving emotional connection between parent and child, which is formed and strengthened over time. The establishment of this bond between parent and child is a complex process involving several elements. Massaging your baby incorporates all these elements. Namely; skin contact (touching or holding), smell, making eye contact, facial expressions and vocalisation (talking, making soothing sounds, or singing) in a safe environment.

Research

Recent research has emphasized the particular benefits for premature infants; children with asthma, diabetes and certain skin disorders. Mothers with post-natal depression have achieved closer relationships with their babies through baby massage. Cross-cultural studies show that babies who are held, massaged, carried, rocked and breastfed, grow into adults that are less aggressive and violent and are more compassionate and cooperative.

Oxytocin – the 'cuddle hormone'

Parents instinctively know that holding and stroking calms children and scientists have now shown that very gentle touch, even something as simple as a hug releases the hormone oxytocin. Its effects are to lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and pain and promote relaxation. What is more, the benefits are two-way: when you massage your child your own stress hormone levels improve and your blood pressure lowers.

Practicalities For Parents

Oils

Vegetable oils are the ideal medium for massaging your baby. Avoid mineral oil as it is not easily absorbed or broken down by the body. Nut oils, such as Almond, are not recommended because of the risk of allergy. The ideal oil is unscented, cold-pressed and organic. Try a patch test if you have any concerns. Although many commercial products contain essential oils they will not aid the bonding process as they mask your natural smell.

When to start

Most practitioners believe there is no harm in massaging your baby from birth and it is certainly never too late to start. Incorporating massage into a bedtime routine from an early age can help ease the transition to sleep.

Never massage a child with a fever or any kind of illness. Avoid the area around an injection for a few days and leave the stomach area for at least twenty minutes after a feed.

When to massage

Choose a time when your baby is happy and not over-tired and you are in the right frame of mind. Many parents find bath-time a good time to begin to introduce massage to their babies. Sometimes, finding the right time to massage can be a challenge. If you find that your young baby cannot tolerate both a bath and a massage, try what one of the mum's on my course suggested: alternating bath and massage nights. Finding the time for some massage once or twice a week will keep it alive in your baby's conscious memory.

At a baby massage class, the instructor will be able to guide you in reading your baby's body language, so that you learn to read when they are ready for a massage.

Massaging your growing child

Keeping massage fun seems to be a key part in keeping it alive as your child grows. Singing and using gentle exercises are popular with my daughters; music engages them and helps them participate. My five year old now requests 'bicycle' (knees into the chest) or 'hob shoehob' (firm thumb press into the sole of the foot), identifying the strokes by their accompanying rhymes. Although my older daughter can be quite demanding about how she would like her massage ("Now make up a story on my back!"), she also enjoys massaging me!

As an instructor I continue to learn from the mothers and babies in my group. The courses have become an important medium for parents to share tips and support one another over issues such as going back to work; weaning and sleep.

Baby Massage courses

UK Health Visitors often offer a one-off session of baby massage as part of their post-natal support programme. They should also be able to tell you about local courses in Baby Massage run by qualified Infant Massage Instructors.

Attending a five-week course in Baby Massage gives you the opportunity to get to know other mums and dads and share parenting experiences. Some practitioners offer one-to-one sessions in your home, enabling other family members to be involved. If you can't get to a class, try a book such as Infant Massage: A Handbook for Parents by Vimala McClure or Peter Walker's Baby Massage for Beginners.

For information on Baby Massage classes in Exeter and East Devon visit www.babieslovemassage.co.uk.

Being touched and caressed
Being massaged, is food for the infant.
Food as necessary as minerals,
Vitamins, and proteins.

Dr Frederick Leboyer