Infant Massage

Unlike massage for adult, infant massage is performed not to relax stiff muscles and get rid of muscle pain but to create closeness and trust and strengthen connection with the baby. The massage stimulates the baby’s body functions such as digestion and blood circulation and boosts the immune system. It improves motor coordination, physical development and also alleviates the symptoms of infantile cramps, constipation and teething discomfort etc.

It’s important to know that infant massage must be performed by a qualified specialist in the environment suitable for the baby.

History

Infant massage is based on the cultures and traditions of Egypt, Greece, India and Far-Eastern countries. This type of massage was brought to the West by American Vimala McClure in the 1970s. She observed babies being massaged by Indian mothers. Moreover, when Vimala McClure fell ill, she had a chance to experience healing influence of such a massage. Later she returned to the USA and began teaching infant massage at home; her technique was based on the combination of reflexology and yoga. In 1978 McClure developed a therapeutic programme and wrote a book “Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents”. Later she founded the International Association of Infant Massage (“Babies-IAIM”).

Technique

The theory of baby massage is focused on four basic principles: interaction, stimulation, relief and relaxation. This modern technique is founded on a sequence of movements that originate from Indian and Swedish massage methods. Intensity, sequence and duration may vary depending on individual differences of the baby. Soothing effect of the massage can help to control baby’s breathing and sleep.

Benefits

Massage can help in cases when baby suffers from low muscle tone or problems with sensory sensitivity. Practically, massage stimulates the baby’s nervous system, forces to use muscles, improves motor coordination and normalises muscle tone. This type of massage helps to ease such symptoms as colic stomach ache, , it soothes the baby, regulates sleep, alleviates toothache and improves functions of digestive and immune systems of the baby’s body.