Melbourne Laser, Skin & Wellness

Touching and massaging your baby is not only a loving way to encourage bonding, it also has proven health benefits.

For example, in one study, premature babies were massaged three times a day for 10 days. Amazingly, although they weren’t eating more, they gained weight 47% faster than those babies who were not massaged. Why? It seems they were absorbing food more effectively as massage encouraged their digestive systems to work better. They also slept more deeply, and had fewer problems with apnoea (briefly stopping breathing).

Regular touching and massaging has also been found to have the same type of benefits in babies born at full term:

• Babies are better able to tolerate noise and to calm themselves
• They settle down and sleep better than babies who are rocked to sleep
• They have fewer problems with colic (because massage helps stimulate the digestive system)
• Babies have greater protection against infections (because massage helps boost the immune system)
• Babies show better temperaments and are more easily soothed
• The texture, tone and condition of the baby’s skin will improve with regular massage. The blood circulation is activated and any waste products are rapidly removed from the system. The baby’s skin will look healthy and glowing after treatment.

As well as having great physical benefits for your baby, touch plays a major part in helping emotional growth, particularly the development of security, confidence and independence.

A child who is touched in a sensitive manner feels more loved, and more secure, feelings that will carry them into later life.

Massage is as beneficial for the parent’s state of mind as it is for the baby – parents become much less agitated and more able to cope with all the pressures and worries of a new baby.

Don’t rush wait until you are comfortable handling your little one. We at our Melbourne Chadstone shop can build you confidence to massage your baby.

Our skilled massage therapist Natalie in Melbourne Chadstone  clinic has been trained some special techniques to perform safe and effective infant massage.