Benefits

♥ Relief for your baby

Baby massage can help to relieve a wide range of common aliments including trapped wind, constipation, colic, teething pain and sinus congestion. The use of oils on your baby's skin can also help to improve the overall condition of his skin which can be particularly useful if your baby suffers from dry skin, eczema or cradle cap.

♥ Creating bonds between you and your baby

Bonding with your baby is a complex matter occurring over time through understanding and communication. Bonding is very important between a parent and baby to ensure the survival of the baby and the emotional state of the parent. Massage encourages bonding by creating the perfect environment for touch, eye contact and vocalisation with your baby.

♥ Relaxation for you both

Baby massage is fun. The exchange of smiles and eye contact during massage are important in building a relationship of love and trust between you. When you massage the skin, the body produces the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. These hormones help to lower the levels of stress hormones in your body and help combat the symptoms of stress. You will both experience the benefits of these hormones when you practice massage.

♥ Helping your baby's development

Massage can help to encourage your baby's development by providing him with the vital skin stimulation he craves, boosting the circulation to his muscles making him stronger and more physically able. His brain is stimulated with new sensations and experiences. By evoking all of your baby's senses using massage, you will teach him about social behaviour, language, movement and you can help him to reach his developmental goals.

♥ Latest research...

Recent research has illustrated 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 cooperative.