Benefits of Infant Massage

• Relief - massage can relieve discomfort from teething, congestion, gas & colic, & emotional stress.
• Bonding - more intimate interaction with parent & baby/child helping to foster the parent/infant bond.
• Skin Stimulation - all the physiological systems are stimulated by massage. It speeds myelination of the brain/nervous system.
• Helps to increase oxygen and nutrient flow to cells. Helps to deepen respiration.
• Helps to improve muscle tone and circulation.
• Helps to encourage midline orientation.
• Helps to improve sensory awareness.
• Helps baby/child to sleep deeper and longer.
• Improves digestion.
• Helps relieve colic or "gassy spells".
• Enhances neurological development.
• Assists in increased vocalization.
• Provides a special communication time for children to confide in their parents.
• Helps baby learn to relax.
• Helps baby increase threshold for stimulation of touch.
• May enable a pattern of stress release.
• Helps baby be heard and acknowledged.
• Supports organization of the nervous system.
• Provides individual focused time.