Baby massage is often viewed as a sophisticated technique or treatment to relieve gas or colic, but can also simply be a fun thing to do when you need to calm or play with your baby.
Some of the reported benefits of baby massage are that it can help your baby:
- relax
- bond with his caregivers
- communicate well with his caregivers
- sleep better
- relieve pain
And of course, baby massage can simply be something that is fun for a parent to do with her baby.
Learning Baby Massage
One easy way to get started with baby massage is to read a book, such as the popular book - Infant Massage, A Handbook for Loving Parents by Vimala Schneider McClure or Baby Massage, Soothing Strokes For Healthy Growth by Suzanne Reese.
You can also learn baby massage from an instructor certified through the International Association of Infant Massage.
Sources: Baby massage and baby play: promoting touch and stimulation in early childhood. Moyse K - Paediatr Nurs - 01-JUN-2005; 17(5): 30-2. Baby massage: a lasting touch. Pigeon-Owen K - Pract Midwife - 01-SEP-2007; 10(8): 27-9, 31.
