Baby Massage

Baby massage is a gentle, loving way to support your baby’s physical, emotional, and developmental well-being. Using soft, rhythmic strokes, this nurturing practice helps soothe common discomforts such as wind, colic, teething, and sleep disturbances while strengthening the bond between parent and baby. Guided by a trained practitioner, you’ll learn techniques that promote relaxation, aid digestion, support circulation, and foster emotional security. Baby massage is suitable from birth and offers a calm, connected space for both baby and caregiver.

“Because loving touch is your baby’s first language.”

grayscale photography of man playing with baby

Just You and Your Baby
Enjoy a session focused on you and your little one. In this peaceful setting, you’ll learn gentle massage techniques to soothe, comfort, and bond with your baby. This session focuses on personal guidance, giving you the confidence to respond to your baby’s cues and create a nurturing routine that supports relaxation, sleep, and healthy development.

Baby Buddies
Share the joy of baby massage with a friend and their baby in a relaxed, social setting. Together, you’ll learn techniques that promote bonding, ease digestion, and support better sleep, sharing this with another parent on the same journey.

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Benefits of Baby Massage

Infant massage is a gentle, nurturing practice that involves rhythmic stroking and touch, often performed by caregivers. Rooted in traditional practices across various cultures, it has garnered scientific interest for its potential benefits to both infants and their parents. Research indicates that infant massage can positively influence physical growth, reduce stress, enhance parent-infant bonding, and support neurodevelopment, particularly in preterm infants.

1. Enhanced Physical Growth and Weight Gain

Multiple studies have demonstrated that infant massage can promote weight gain and growth in both full-term and preterm infants. A systematic review encompassing several studies found that infant massage was associated with increased weight gain, improved feeding tolerance, and better sleep patterns. These benefits are particularly significant for preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) .

2. Pain Relief and Stress Reduction

Infant massage has been shown to alleviate pain and reduce stress in infants. Research indicates that massage can decrease cortisol levels, a biomarker for stress, in both infants and their mothers. This stress reduction is beneficial for infants undergoing medical procedures and for enhancing overall comfort.

3. Improved Neurodevelopment and Motor Skills

Regular massage sessions may support neurodevelopment and enhance motor skills in infants. Studies have found that massage can improve gross motor function and sensory processing, contributing to better developmental outcomes.

4. Strengthened Parent-Infant Bonding

Engaging in infant massage fosters positive interactions between parents and their babies. Research has shown that mothers who regularly massage their infants report stronger emotional connections and improved attachment security.This bonding is crucial for the infant's emotional and social development.

5. Support for Maternal Mental Health

Infant massage not only benefits infants but also supports maternal mental health. Studies have indicated that mothers who practice infant massage experience reductions in symptoms of postnatal depression, anxiety, and stress. This practice can be a valuable component of postnatal care strategies.

References

Ghasemtabar SN, et al. (2022). The effect of infant massage on physical growth parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pediatr Nurs. 62: e1–e8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35681968/
Underdown A, et al. (2010). Massage intervention for promoting mental and physical health in infants aged under six months. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. (4):CD005038. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17054233/
Zareiyan A, et al. (2019). Effect of massage therapy on weight gain in hospitalized preterm neonates: A randomized clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 34: 221–226. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31059673/
Cheng HR, et al. (2024). Infant massage as a stress management technique for parents of hospitalized extremely preterm infants. Adv Neonatal Care. 24(1): 46–52. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38140832/
Field T, et al. (2001). Infant massage improves mother-infant interaction for mothers with postnatal depression. J Affect Disord. 63(1-3): 201–207. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11246096/
Field T, et al. (2008). Massage therapy by mothers with postnatal depression effects on infant weight gain and emotional and physical development. Infant Behav Dev. 31(3): 433–442. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18086500/
Aliabadi F, et al. (2014). Massage therapy for infants with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease: A randomized controlled trial. Infant Behav Dev. 37(4): 620–624. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24379449/
Lee J, et al. (2018). The beneficial effects of massage on motor development in children with developmental delay: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 18(1): 200. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30376388/
Shorey S, et al. (2023). Infant massage to improve mother-infant attachment and maternal mental health: A meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res. 168: 1–11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39603191/
Pillai Riddell R, et al. (2023). Parent-delivered infant massage reduces stress and improves bonding in NICU parents. J Perinatol. 43(5): 627–634. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37131260/

Incorporating infant massage into daily routines can offer a range of benefits for both infants and their caregivers. While more research is needed to fully understand all its effects, current evidence supports its role in promoting physical growth, reducing stress, enhancing bonding, and supporting maternal mental health. As always, caregivers should consult with healthcare professionals before beginning any new therapeutic practices.