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Give your baby that loving touch with infant massage

Infant massage improves breathing and blood circulation to the heart, brain and kidneys, says expert

Abu Dhabi — The benefits of infant massage are numerous, and parents here are now starting to appreciate this and are including massage as part of their daily child care routine.

Kate Grasell, a paediatric massage therapist, said when she started offering her services three years ago, not many were aware of infant massage. Nowadays, her workshops are always full.

Babies as young as two weeks can be massaged daily. — Supplied photo 

“Medical studies have demonstrated that infant massage improves breathing and skin flexibility, as well as, aids bowel movement and secretion of digestive glands. It has an analgesic effect and improves blood circulation to the heart, the brain and kidneys,” Grasell said.

Infant massage also improves sleep quality, provides relaxation and strengthens the immune system. It releases hormones that assist in relieving discomfort from teething, chest and nose congestion, colic and emotional stress.

“Skin stimulation improves brain-body communication. Gentle massage encourages the development of flexibility and co-ordination. It also increases oxygen and nutrient flow to the cells,” she added.

According to her, infant massage has been around since the eighth century and is now part of traditional childcare in South Asia, some African countries and the former Soviet Union where daily massage by mothers is seen as “instilling fearlessness, hardening bone structure, enhancing movement and limb coordination, and increasing weight.” In Western countries, infant massage has been increasingly used in neonatal intensive care units.

From two weeks

Babies as young as two weeks can be started on the massage, said Grasell.

“The changes in the baby’s system from birth to three years of age happen tremendously fast, (and are) simultaneous and chaotic. Almost all the time, babies feel discomfort and anxious. They suffer from colic and digestive pains. They sleep, eat and poop poorly, cry and irritate their parents.”

“Infant massage is a very important activity for babies ... especially important for children with postponed development which can result from premature labour, multiple or complicated pregnancy,” she pointed out, noting that massage not only helps in improving and strengthening all body functions, it also reduces the feeling of discomfort and calms them down, as well as, contributing to infants’ psychological development. She suggests carrying out the massage daily until the baby starts to crawl or at nine months, and recommends continuing this till the child is three years old together with gymnastics or stretches.

“Massage and gymnastics help to improve posture and motor skills, speech function and mental development,” she pointed out.

Medical massage

According to Grasell, who is a certified paediatric medical massage therapist from the Institute of Regenerative Medicine in Moscow, specially tailored infant massage and gymnastics sets can be an effective aid to reduce and totally solve common baby problems such as umbilical hernia, torticollis, flat feet, curvature of legs, congenital dislocation of the hip and obstetrical paralysis.

However, medical massage must be authorised by a paediatrician and must be done by a certified paediatric massage therapist. Intensive course includes several series with 10 sessions daily with one to two months break between series.

Bonding time

There are emotional benefits for mummies practicing infant massage. Massage can lessen the effects of postnatal depression and helps the mother have a more positive interaction with her baby. Infant massage also promotes lactation in breastfeeding mums (through stimulation of hormones). Furthermore, this increases parental confidence and self-esteem and strengthens bonding, especially for those parents with interrupted bonding due to medical problems.

“This is important for parents as this gives them a feeling that they are doing something valuable for their kid. It builds relationship for the future with kids being more open,” Grasell pointed out. Infant massage also builds relationship with siblings as older kids tend to be jealous of the new baby.

Massage strokes

There are three basic infant massage strokes — gliding, rubbing and kneading — all vary by pressure and intensity. These can be mastered by parents and used on a daily basis as an everyday routine for about 15-25 minutes.

According to Grasell, the best time to practice massage is at least 30 minutes after feeding and before bathing (to get rid of oil residue). It is essential that the baby is in a “good mood” prior to massage. Keep the room warm and with a “calm ambiance” and have the massage oil and toys nearby. Massage can be carried out on the dinner table, parents’ bed or mat on the floor, depending on the baby’s age.

Sedentary lifestyle

“A great global problem is our sedentary lifestyle. In the early age we (I mean parents) can do a lot to prevent kids from developing back problems, weak belly muscles, flatfeet and joint diseases. We can make a good start for our kids to promote health and an active future,” Grasell said.

“Infant Massage is a perfect activity which can reduce or totally solve a lot of problems. I recommend learning infant massage and gymnastics techniques from a certified infant massage therapist,” she added.

Grasell’s next free infant massage workshop will be held on April 24 and 26 at the Intercontinental Hotel. To sign-up, send her an e-mail at grasellk@gmail.com or visit www.infantmassagecourse.com for more information.

olivia@khaleejtimes.com