You’re the proud new parent of an adorable tiny tot, YAY! It truly is an absolute miracle, but yet, sometimes the innate bonding and connection that many parents expect to be immediately present just isn’t as strong as anticipated. Maybe you feel as though you are bonding with your baby and would like to gain access to modalities you can use at home to promote healthy growth and development. Both are NORMAL and you are NOT ALONE! The physical and emotional toll of childbirth, coupled with the overwhelming demands of caring for a newborn, sleep deprivation and feeding struggles can leave parents feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. It’s a complicated topic that leads many parents to feel like they aren’t connecting with their child in the way that they “should” or as they expected. There is, however, an incredibly simple, time tested and adorable solution for nurturing this bond- infant massage. Gentle infant massage has the ability to communicate love, comfort, and security to a baby; fostering a deep sense of trust and emotional connection. Bonding is an incredible benefit, but infant massage has also shown to improve motor skills, body awareness, improve sleep and even facilitate weight gain!

What is infant massage?

Infant massage has been around for centuries and has a proven track record for creating a lasting bond between baby and parents as well as providing quite a number of health benefits. There are MANY studies proving the importance of touch and its role in proper physical and mental development! Infant massage uses gentle, soothing strokes and gentle movements to help regulate the nervous system. This can help to calm your baby, enhance relaxation, improve sleep patterns, and aid in healthy digestion. By incorporating infant massage into your daily routine, you can create a nurturing environment that supports your baby's physical and emotional development.

Benefits of infant massage for bonding

The benefits of infant massage are tremendous for bonding! Gently massaging your newborn (and even older kiddos) can promote eye contact, mimicking expressions and instill a sense of trust and safety in your infant which can help create a strong foundation for a healthy and secure attachment.

Studies have shown that infant massage releases “feel good hormones” for both parent and baby. This can help to foster feelings of attachment and bonding, creating a positive feedback loop between parent and child. So much so in fact, that research has also demonstrated improved mood and attachment with postpartum depression.

Infant massage also provides an opportunity for parents to learn and respond to their baby's cues. As they massage their baby, parents become more attuned to their baby's needs and can better understand their nonverbal communication. This increased sensitivity and responsiveness can enhance the parent-infant relationship and strengthen the bond between them.

Benefits of infant massage for development

In addition to promoting bonding, infant massage offers numerous developmental benefits for babies. Regular massage can help infants develop better body awareness and proprioception, which is the ability to sense the position and movement of one's body. This is incredibly helpful as we start to learn how to use our arms and legs, develop new motor skills and explore our environment!

Massaging a baby may also help reduce tension patterns that may be contributing to asymmetries in movement such as preferring to roll to one side, being “scrunched up,” preferring to only look one way, etc. Though these concerns should always be addressed by a professional (hand raise from the pediatric chiro here), infant-massage can be a great at-home addition to provider directed care!

Furthermore, studies have shown that infant massage can have cognitive and social benefits. The sensory stimulation provided by massage helps promote the development of the baby's nervous system which may lead to increased cognitive function and sensory integration. Additionally, the close physical contact and nurturing touch of massage can enhance social skills and emotional regulation in infants.

The science behind infant massage

The benefits of infant massage go beyond just anecdotal evidence and have quite a scientific basis. Research has shown that the gentle touch and skin-to-skin contact during massage stimulate the release of oxytocin, which promotes bonding and attachment between parent and child. Oxytocin also has a calming effect on both the parent and the baby, reducing stress levels and promoting a sense of well-being.

Massage also triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood elevators. These feel-good chemicals can contribute to a more positive emotional state. The release of endorphins during massage can create a sense of relaxation and contentment for both parent and baby.

Studies have also shown that infant massage can have a positive impact on the baby's brain development. The sensory stimulation provided by massage helps strengthen the neural connections in the brain, leading to improved cognitive function and sensory processing abilities. This can have long-term benefits for the baby's learning and development.

Last, but not least, there have been studies to suggest that infant massage is directly correlated to better weight gain and nutrient absorption in infants within the NICU. A relaxed and calm nervous system puts the body into “rest and digest” mode which allows for the focus to be more on thriving and growing.

The benefits of infant massage vary from bonding to improved cognitive function and motor skills. Such a simple skill can have amazing benefits that extend beyond the newborn phase. This time tested and research proven method of carrying for your tiny tot is a wonderful skill to acquire and utilize through infancy and into toddlerhood!